Ivan Bugayev was one of the first Ukrainians signing for TB following the teams move to Ukraine in S47. He never really set the field alight with countless wins but he was inspirational behind the scenes for the change of the team's focus to downhills and has left an important legacy.
Bugayev came from Uzhgorod in the foothills of the Carpathians. His family move to the west in the soviet days, working at the airport there and quicly assimiliated into Ukrainian life.
Ivan developed his cycle skills at an early age and quickly developed a niche, almost suicidal ability to fly off or descend mountains. He was later confirmed to have no fear chromozones,
Bugayev was discovered by local regional team South South when he was 18 but languished in their youth academy for a number of years without barely registering a race. When he heard of the arrival and transfer of Engli...
Read moreIvan Bugayev was one of the first Ukrainians signing for TB following the teams move to Ukraine in S47. He never really set the field alight with countless wins but he was inspirational behind the scenes for the change of the team's focus to downhills and has left an important legacy.
Bugayev came from Uzhgorod in the foothills of the Carpathians. His family move to the west in the soviet days, working at the airport there and quicly assimiliated into Ukrainian life.
Ivan developed his cycle skills at an early age and quickly developed a niche, almost suicidal ability to fly off or descend mountains. He was later confirmed to have no fear chromozones,
Bugayev was discovered by local regional team South South when he was 18 but languished in their youth academy for a number of years without barely registering a race. When he heard of the arrival and transfer of English Team, TB to Ukraine at the age of 23 he bought himself out of his existing contract (2 bottles of samogon and some pickled carrots) and cycled to Kyiv to join TB.
The first few years at TB were initially a struggle for Ivan, TB management did not know what to make of him and had no provious mountain experience but Bugayev had some amazing abilities and above all no fear and at least for the young Bugayev he was getting races including for the national team.
Bugayev spent the next few years, patiently developing his skills and honing his talent and quietly making recommendation to the TB management on rider transfers to start to build a team around him.
Bugayev finally came of age in S53, with a fantastic 2nd in the Ulaanbaatar uruu Uruudakh in Mongolia. TB Management were so impressed with his development that Bugayev was promoted straight to TEam Captain (after 4 bottles of samogon and some picked carrots) for S54 with a complete change in focus for the team to Downhills and Climbs.
Bugayev repayed the loyalty shown in him with a great performance for S54, 4 podiums and 5 places although the win still eluded him. Seasons S54-S56 were to prove to be his best performances including his first win at the Geneve - Thonon-les-Bains , GC in the Stone City and the best highest ranking for any TB (at the time) - in 612th.
He was to continue as Captain until right up until his retirement this season and was consistently solid in picking up places, although he would admit to himself that perhaps he did not win as many races as he would like but he will certainly go down in history ad one oTB greatest riders leaving an important legacy in Downhill racing for TB and the Ukrainian National Team. We are glad he will be joining the coaching staff.
Key Stats:(*TB records)
Races: 286
Wins: 3
Podiums: 13
Tour GC:
S54-56 9th Stone City Tour
Classics:
S62 20th D4 Critérium la Grasse #53
Placements: 35
Highest ever Ranking: 613th (S55)
International Caps: 40 * (for TB riders for Ukraine)
Best Podium Performance:
1st D6 Vietnam Hai Van Pass Circuit (S59)
Highest ever Divisional Performance:
(S62) D3 19th Gorj - Vîlcea.
Best Div3 Performance: As above
Best Div4 Performance: (S62) 8th Fterolakka - Amfiklia
Best Div5 Performance: (S60) 2nd Bitola - Kavadartsi
Best Div6 Performance: As above
Best Div7 Performance: (S56) 1st Geneve - Thonon-les-Bains
Div8-Div 11 & ND Performance: Not competed
Ukraine Club Records
None
Best International Performance:
S55 WTB 8th Classica Verona (WT) #36
Comrade Cup Title S55 (3 caps) and S57 (4 Caps)
U23 Honours - N/A
Tour Records (GCs and key wins listed where relevant)
MINUTEMEN (D4) Av.Pos. (S62) 115th
EL CORAZON (D5) Av.Pos. (S60) 115th
STONE CITY (D5) (S54, 55, 56) GC Classification 9th
Best Stage Performance: S55 2nd Toshkent - Toshkent*
MONTE ROSA TOUR (D5) Av.Pos. (S56) 49th
ORYX (D6) Av. Pos. S53 60th
CESKO (D6) Av.Pos. S56 78th
SANREIZEN (D7) Av.Pos. (S56) 45th
Best Stage Performance: S56 5th Yokohama – Fuji
Ukraine