If we consider expanding horizons, the Burgos Burpellet BH is probably among the professional teams that have most applied this principle in composing their rosters in recent seasons. More than some competitors, both at World Tour and ProTeam levels, the Spanish formation has recently not limited itself to integrating its roster with only Spanish elements (or those from contexts with a strong cycling tradition) but has looked elsewhere, exploring places and latitudes where cycling plays a secondary (if not decidedly marginal) role and thus, with a somewhat pioneering approach, opening the boundaries of professionalism to new realities.

This is demonstrated by the passages in pink-purple jersey of Monegasque Victor Langellotti (now at Ineos-Grenadiers), 2023 Mongolian champion Jambaljamts Sainbayar, Uruguayan Eric Fagúndez, Greek Georgios Bouglas, and Guatemalan Sergio Geovani Chumil. The latter, in particular, recently came to prominence for being the only one capable of interrupting the dominance of Derek Gee and Magnus Cort at the latest O Gran Camiño, winning in a tight head-to-head with the Canadian from Israel Premier Tech on the race's queen stage.

This victory, immediately described by the rider himself as "the most important of his career", quickly produced positive consequences for the young 2000-born rider from Tecpán, who a few days after his triumph in Galician territory, signed a contract renewal until 2027, thus giving a real turning point to his professional trajectory (and dreams) and his life.

And, speaking of life, the surprising triumph at the O Gran Camiño prompted us to get to know this rider with an engaging smile and calm tones who, although unknown to most, had actually already shown some signs of his good qualities last year during his first experience among the cycling elite.

Meeting him in person, Sergio told us how he gradually started cycling in a nation that doesn't primarily focus on cycling: "I started cycling thanks to a friend. At first, we would go out cycling just for pleasure, then gradually I became more passionate until I started frequenting a sports organization in Guatemala that allowed me to improve step by step. Unfortunately, to be honest, support for cycling in my country is very scarce and I didn't think I would become a professional, but thanks to God, I'm here now and taking advantage of this opportunity."

An opportunity that Sergio earned after becoming national vice-champion at the elite level at 20 years old, by moving to Spain in 2022 to race with the Equipo Cortizo colors, the youth team affiliated with Burgos. In his first year, Chumil obtained 2nd place in the Copa de España race in Vigo and 5th in the Volta a Portugal de Futuro, showing glimpses of those qualities that, in the following season, allowed him to do even better by winning three stages and the overall in the Vuelta al Altiplano Marquense in Guatemala, and 4th place in the Vuelta Bantrab. Then, in Spanish territory, he won the Copa de España race in Vigo, the second stage of Vuelta a Navarra, and the overall (with a stage win) of Vuelta a Zamora. Driven by these results, in early August 2023, the Burgos Burpellet BH management was convinced to give him the big opportunity, offering him a two-year contract that made Chumil the first Guatemalan ever to break into the professional ranks - a historic milestone whose achievement did not diminish the young man's desire to showcase himself and explore his limits.

In 2024, after winning the national road title, Chumil quickly raised his arms to the sky for the first time as a pro in the Old Continent, winning on the uphill finish in Torre. A success that perhaps, due to the limited resonance of the Portuguese race combined with the absence of World Tour teams and renowned rivals, was not met with excessive media fanfare. However, it certainly highlighted the two qualities that then, on March 1st at O Cebreiro, allowed him to celebrate again in front of Derek Gee and a much more qualified group of rivals: climbing resistance and quick sprint.

The same qualities, perhaps not by chance, of one of the riders Sergio most admired before entering the professional world: Alejandro Valverde. "When I was younger, I watched him on TV, but also Alberto Contador, Chris Froome, and among Latin Americans, Nairo Quintana, who was and is a great rider. Here I even had the opportunity to race with some of them (Quintana, ed.) sometimes." Like them, he hopes to carve out his space at the next level, thus transforming what has become his second dream after turning professional: "Joining a World Tour team. It's one of my biggest dreams, no matter which team."

Much will depend on his "hunger", his ability to grow by internalizing the advice he will be given, and clearly, in a cycling increasingly tied to UCI points and performances, on the results he will be able to achieve by capitalizing on the opportunities the road will offer him. It will be up to Sergio to be ready, and to do so, considering what he has achieved so far, he will likely continue to shuttle between his home in Guatemala and his Spanish residence.

"It's very nice to pedal in Guatemala, I like training in my land. I live at an altitude of 2,500 meters and it's fantastic for me. I personally believe it's better to prepare at home to arrive in Europe in the best conditions: this is how I did it, for example, for the O Gran Camiño. When I'm in Spain, I live at the Ciudad de Burgos Hotel and train in the surrounding areas. The climate? It's quite cold and very windy, which doesn't make things easy."

The often unfriendly weather conditions of northern Spain, however, have not stopped Chumil, who, driven by his dreams, has continued (and will continue) to work to become a better rider: "I think cycling is ultimately about learning something new every day, and I like learning new things. I want to improve in various aspects and become a bit more professional every day."

This predisposition could, at the same time, take Chumil very far and bring more people from his country and Central America closer, inspired by this example, to be enchanted by the bicycle and its varied universe.