Dennis Lock took his first victory in the General Store jersey in Collecchio. A success that was pursued for a long time and strongly desired, the Danish boy who grew up in Italy has finally reaped the first fruits of his labor (Photors.it opening).
«I'm very happy with last Sunday's result in Collecchio – says Dennis Lock, Danish born in 2002 – also because it is the second victory, it means that the first one did not come by chanceThis first elite season has taught me many things. After the bad injury in Luxembourg, I came back stronger than ever. Honestly, I didn't expect to be so strong. I have worked and I am still working hard to turn professional, 2025 is the last chance I will give myself.It's been three years since I arrived in Italy, and living away from home isn't easy.
Word to Rosola
The team staff has worked and is still working alongside him General Store-Essegibi-Fratelli CuriaAmong these is the figure of Paolo Rosola, sport director of the continental team and who worked together with Lock to bring out his qualities.
«Lock's – says Paolo Rosola – was a progressive path of growth that led to this beautiful victory. The credit should be shared between everyone, the boy but also the staff and the teamEach of us was good, starting from the trainer and the nutritionist, figures who are now references in modern cyclingWe sport directors are the reflection of how the team works."
Wide margins
Dennis Lock's story is that of a boy who left Denmark with the goal of coming to race in Italy to grow and improve. His journey took him first to the Carnovali Rime in 2022 and 2023Last season, Zalf-Euromobil called, and with the closure of the team led by Faresin, Lock's future took on the colors of General Store.
«Lock is in his first year as an elite player – continues Rosola – he came to us after Zalf ceased its activity. We had already seen him and we were interested because we think he is a rider capable of doing great thingsThe numbers were there and are there, he needed people who could help him express himself at his best. He still has room for growth, I'm convinced of it, even if being an elite player doesn't help.. Nowadays, few people look at this category; the focus is on taking second- or third-year athletes, and the risk for the others is to fall into this limbo."
Try again
The first year as an elite team risks being a trap from which it is difficult to emerge in one piece, but Lock, thanks to the support of Paolo Rosola and the entire General Store-Essegibi-Fratelli Curia team, has found a way to emerge and get noticed.
«Lock wanted to play his cards again – concludes the sports director – another chance to turn professional. He deserved this chance and achieved some good results, it's a shame because in some situations he didn't get the maximumOne example is the Giro d'Abruzzo, where the cold forced him to retire. From this point of view, he needed some advice on how to approach certain race situations, and I must say he learned a lot during the year. The future is still uncertain, I hope he can find a team and a place that suits his abilities.I think he can be among the professionals, I hope so, but he also knows that the doors will always be open to us."
