Burgos-BH sign the first Greek rider into ProTour level in 10 years, Georgios Bouglas

After grabbing the national champion of Mongolia, Burgos-BH have made another move in the market. Looking to change the looks of their squad, the Spanish team has signed several riders who are experienced in the Asian calendar, and today they reveal the signing of Greek national champion Georgios Bouglas.

“I am excited to sign a contract with Burgos BH for 2024. Turning professional is something I have been pursuing for the last few years, so I am determined to make the best of it," Bouglas, 32, said in a press release shared by the team this Friday morning. "During the last two seasons I was always present in the sprints of the races in which I participated, but I lacked some help to be more of a protagonist. With the help of my future teammates, I'm sure we can get some wins. I want to thank the management of Burgos BH for their effort in signing me and I am looking forward to meeting everyone during our first training camp.”

It is not a signing by chance. After the likes of Aaron Gate and Jambaljamts Sainbayar, there is a clear change in the team's approach to the transfers season. They are looking to pick up strong riders who escape the radar of European teams, and Bouglas can end up being a very positive surprise. Besides national champion he is a stage winner at the Tour of Japan this season, but is a rider who consistently performs in the Asians scene - particularly in the sprints.

“Georgios Bouglas is a rider with a lot of experience in Asia and with great potential for massive arrivals. His arrival, added to the signings of George Jackson and Aaron Gate, and the renewal of current members of the team such as Pelegrí, Angulo or Fuentes, will allow us to give the team a boost in those opportunities that arise in the sprint," team director David Cantera said. "We needed to reinforce the sprinters field, which is a highly demanded position in all teams. We always looked ahead and we started early to study the international market."

Bouglas will be the first Greek rider to race at ProTour level - or higher - since 2013 when his compatriot Ioannis Tamouridis rode for the Euskaltel-Euskadi. The nation hence returns to the high level of the sport and Bouglas may even have the chance to race his first Grand Tour at the Vuelta a Espana, where the team frequently receives wildcards.

"We are really happy to have contacted Georgios, a cyclist who took a plane from Athens to Bilbao just to be with us during the rest day of the Vuelta a España. That shows the desire he has to prove his worth. He has had important offers from Asian teams, but he has prioritized this sporting opportunity. In addition, he is supported by his coach, Vasilis Anastoupoulos, who has experience in the best WorldTour teams.”