Bora-hansgrohe have signed Marcus Burghardt and Pascal Ackermann.

The team from Raubling underlines its ambitions to support and develop young German speaking talents with the signings of veteran Marcus Burghardt and German U-23 Champion Pascal Ackermann.

The 33-year-old Burghardt is considered a super-domestique and a very well experienced German pro with leadership qualities.

“It is great to ride for a German team again. I am really looking forward to this new challenge at BORA - hansgrohe. For sure it is great to go into the Classics season together with Peter Sagan, but it will be also interesting for me to work with the young guys in the team. If you join a WorldTeam, all of a sudden you have to ride a lot of races at the top level. For young riders this is a tough challenge, both physically and mentally. And I think with my experience I can help a lot, that the young riders in the team manage to take this step a little easier," said Marcus Burghardt

Pascal Ackermann (22) joins BORA - hansgrohe coming from Rad-Net Rose Team. He is a very talented sprinter and it will be his first pro season at the top level of international cycling.

“I can’t wait to start this WorldTour challenge, and I hope I can adopt to this level quickly. Of course I will support the team as a domestique and lead-out man, but if there is a chance for me to go for a result, you wouldn’t need to tell me twice. I know at this level I will have to start from zero, but I’m keen to learn and to develop. One thing is for sure: I will face this challenge with a really big smile. BORA - hansgrohe has always been my first choice, but a few months ago I would never have expected to race on the same team as Peter Sagan. He is unique in cycling, his attitude, his style of riding, he is simply fun to watch on a bike. I am really delighted and thankful to join BORA – hansgrohe," said Pascal Ackermann