Six UCI ProTeam at the 2023 ΔΕΗ Tour of Ηellas
The ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas returns after a ten-year hiatus with a new route and the goal to be established not only as an important domestic cycling competition, but as an acclaimed event within the world cycling community.
This year, in its second edition after last year's revival, 17 professional and 3 national team are due to take the journey from Crete to Peloponnese.
These are the 6 ProTeams participating in this year's ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas:
Bolton Equities Black Spoke
Category: UCI ProTeam
Country: New Zealand
Founded: 2020
Abbreviation: BEB
Official Website: blackspoke.co.nz
Twitter: blackspokenz
Facebook: blackspokenz
Instagram: blackspoke.nz
In 2023: They have celebrated eight wins so far, with that at the Trophée Groupama Paris Val de Loire (1.1) on French soil claimed by the Irish endurance champion, Rory Townsend being the most prestigious.
New Zealanders Aaron Gate, James Oram, and Logan Currie hold the respective individual time trial, road race, and U23 individual time trial national champion jerseys.
In brief
In its fourth year, Bolton Equities Black Spoke is constantly evolving. Its rapid progress helped them achieve a UCI ProTeam status; the first team from New Zealand to do so.
The New Zealanders use Pinarello bikes like in 2022.
Bingoal WB
Category: UCI ProTeam
Country: Belgium
Founded: 2011
Abbreviation: BWB
Official Website: www.wbca.be
Twitter: bingoalpauwels
Facebook: bingoalpauwelssauceswb
Instagram: bingoalpauwelssauceswb
In 2023: Bingoal WB Boasts three wins so far; two of them at the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo (2.1) in Gabon. Karl Patrick Lauk won stage 6, and Alexander Salby stage 7. The most recent, and by far the most impressive, came on stage 4 of Coppi e Bartali in Italy, with the experienced rider Alexis Guerin emerging victorious after a 95km solo attack!
In brief
It gained the UCI ProTeam status in 2017. Its roster is dominated by Belgians, with Remy Mertz and Guillaume Van Keirsbulck being the most decorated riders.
They use De Rosa bikes - one of the oldest bicycle manufacturers from Italy.
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
Category: UCI ProTeam
Country: Spain
Founded: 2010
Abbreviation: CJR
Official Website: teamcajarural-segurosrga.com
Twitter: cajaRural_RGA
Facebook: teamcajarural
Instagram: cajarural_rga
In 2023: They have achieved two victories, courtesy of Orluis Aular. The Venezuelan champion won the one-day race Classica da Arrabida - Cyclin'Portugal, while he also claimed the general classification jersey in the Volta ao Alentejo.
In brief
The team is owned by the Spanish banking group Grupo Caja Rural, hence financial security is guaranteed. Nevertheless, as its people confided last year on the sidelines of the Tour of Hellas, their goal is helping new athletes evolve rather than creating a powerful multinational roster.
In 2012, Caja Rural’s Antonio Piedra won the 15th stage of the Vuelta, in the uphill finish of Lagos de Covadonga, a feat that marks one of the most important victories in the team’s history. In 2013, Caja Rural acquired David Arroyo (2nd in the 2010 Giro D’ Italia), one of the club's biggest signings.
The bikes they have chosen this year are MMR, in an effort to promote the domestic cycling industry.
Green Project Bardiani CSF Faizanè
Category: UCI ProTeam
Country: Italy
Founded: 1982
Abbreviation: GBF
Official Website: bardianicsf.com
Twitter: Bardiani_CSF
Facebook: bardianicsffaizane
Instagram: bardiani_csf_faizane
In 2023: They have five wins under their name so far this season, four of them at the Tour of Rwanda (3 stages & the overall classification). The 5th was registered at the Tour of Taiwan thanks to Henok Mulubrhan’s heroics.
In brief
The Italian team completes 41 years of presence in the international professional cycling scene. Roberto Reverberi is its historical figure, holding the managerial position since the beginning. Green Project Bardiani CSF Faizanè, one of Italy's oldest teams, had in the past under her wings cyclists such as Sonny Colbrelli, Giulio Ciccone and Sacha Modolo.
The team boast 27 Giro D’ Italia stage wins, and two in La Vuelta. Their last to date victory in a Grand Tour came in the 2016 Giro at the 16th stage, with the attack made by the then 21-year-old Giulio Ciccone.
Green Project Bardiani CSF Faizanè switched to De Rosa bikes for the 2023 season, following the termination of the 10-year partnership with Mario Cipollini.
Human Powered Health
Category: UCI ProTeam
Country: USA
Founded: 2007
Abbreviation: HPM
Official Website: humanpoweredhealth.com
Twitter: HumanPwrdHealth
Facebook: HumanPoweredHealth
Instagram: humanpoweredhealth
In 2023: The top moment for the team so far this season has been Adam De Vos' 3rd place in the one-day race of Albert Achterhes Profronde van Drenthe on Dutch soil.
In brief
They introduced themselves in 2007 as Kelly Benefit Strategies, while the first big step was made between 2018-2020, when they changed their name to Rally Cycling and were upgraded to a ProTeam status. They achieved significant accolades in these years and developed athletes such as Sep Kuss and Brandon McNulty, who are currently competing at the highest level of pro cycling.
US and Canadian riders fill the majority of the team’s roster. Last winter they made two big signings bringing in two World Tour riders; Gijs Van Hoecke from AG2R Citroën Team, and Barnabás Peák from Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux.
Since 2019, they have been using Felt (US-based company) bikes.
Team Corratec
Category: UCI ProTeam
Country: Italy
Founded: 2022
Συντομογραφία: COR
Official Website: toscanafactoryteam.com
Twitter: team_corratec
Facebook: Teamcorratec
Instagram: team.corratec
In 2023: They have yet to record a win in 2023. However, the most important moment for the team will come in May, with their maiden Giro D’ Italia participation.
In brief
Corratec is not only the most recently founded team amongst 2023 ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas entries, but also the youngest with an average age of 24.7 years. To cope with the demands of the Tour, the Italians added quality and experience to their roster, with the acquisition of Valerio Conti from Astana Qazaqstan Team, Alexander Konychev from Team Bike Exchange, and Attilio Viviani from Bingoal Pauwels Sauces.
The German company Corratec is the main sponsor of the team and their bike supplier as well.
