Bahrain Victorious: Liam Slock leaves Lotto for two seasons

Bahrain Victorious has made a major transfer move, announcing the signing of emerging Belgian talent Liam Slock for the next two seasons. The 25-year-old, coming off a remarkable year with the Lotto-Intermarché team, made a splash by taking his first professional victory at the Gippingen GP last June, with a dramatic finish that saw him crash right on the finish line while leading the way.

Slock's arrival represents a valuable reinforcement for the Bahrain team group in both the Classics and stage races. His combination of power and versatility makes him a perfect wildcard: useful as a top-flight domestique, but with real potential to play his own cards in the future. For those who play fantasy cycling, he's a name to keep an eye on: a profile that can generate points both in breakaways and through teamwork.

"This is a new step in my career, and I'm looking forward to continuing to grow in this new environment at Bahrain Victorious," Slock said of the move. "I'm motivated to bring my experience and skills to strengthen the team's Classics group."

The runner hasn't forgotten his roots: "At the same time, I want to thank Lotto for these six years. I've learned so much, been given great opportunities, and grown both as a runner and as a person. I'm grateful for the people and experiences I've brought with me from this time, and I look to the future with confidence."

A move to the WorldTour with Bahrain Victorious should further consolidate the Belgian's growth. He already made his mark on his Tour de France debut with several breakaway attempts, including a 40km solo breakaway on stage 8, which was caught by the chasing group just 1.3km from the finish. This effort, despite not resulting in a victory, earned him the Most Combative Rider award: a strong showing for those seeking aggressive riders to include in their breakaway-oriented fantasy cycling teams.

Slock is the second big name to announce his departure from Lotto-Intermarché after Arnaud De Lie, who will move to Tudor Pro Cycling from 2027. Other big names from the Belgian team could also soon leave, with Lennert Van Eetvelt reportedly in advanced negotiations with NSN.