ProTeam Liam Slock turns pro at Lotto Dstny

U23 rider Liam Slock will step up from the Lotto Soudal Development Team to the WorldTour team next season. The 21-year-old Belgian rider from Lochristi has signed a two-year deal for the team, that will be named Lotto Dstny from then on. “I could not have wished for a better education than at the Lotto Soudal Development Team.”

Liam Slock has been part of the Development Team of Lotto Soudal for two years now. “He has proven himself as a real team player during this period”, says Kurt Van de Wouwer, team manager of the Lotto Soudal Development Team. “He is a typical baroudeur with an all-round profile. With the Grand Prix Color Code and the first stage of the Triptique Ardennais he has won two races this year, but also during the rest of the season he has convinced us with his offensive style of racing.”

Grateful for the confidence

Liam Slock himself is obviously very satisfied about the opportunity to step up to the pros. “The last two years I have done everything I can to be able to turn pro”, says Slock. “The results were there from the beginning of the season. I was very happy when I got the call from Kurt Van de Wouwer, telling me I was getting the chance with the pros.”

At the moment, Liam Slock is recovering from Lyme disease. “Now that I am sure to turn pro next year, gives me the time and mental rest necessary to recover. I am very grateful for the confidence from the team. My goal is to still get some good results in the U23 category this season, but the most important now is to be in top shape at the start of next season.”

The Belgian rider will get his chances in breakaways next year, but will also be chasing breakaways when the team wants to put Caleb Ewan or Arnaud De Lie in a position to sprint for victory. “Liam Slock is a down to earth guy who has proven to be able to use his strengths at the service of others when necessary”, says CEO John Lelangue. “The tests we do with all our riders, show that physically he is more than ready to step up. Those physical capacities combined with his sense of duty and team spirit make him a valuable asset to our team for the years to come.”

Eleventh rider from the own Development Team

After Lennert Van Eetvelt, Liam Slock will be the second U23 rider that moves up from the ranks of Lotto Soudal’s own Development Team. The 2023 Lotto Dstny roster now consists of 11 riders with a history in the own Development Team. “The Development Team benefits hugely from the knowledge and experience within the WorldTour team”, explains Liam Slock. “The staff, training, equipment and racing program: all meticulously planned as with the pros. Next to that the scouting is obviously top level: once you get a spot in the Development Team, you know you are amongst the best Belgian U23 riders. That is a big motivation, together with the fact that you already train and race in the kit of a real WorldTour team. I could not have wished for a better education.”

Image: Brecht Steenhouwer.