During his career, Burghardt took seven professional victories, including the 2007 Gent–Wevelgem, the German National Road Race Championships in 2017, and a stage win at the 2008 Tour de France.

Burghardt was born in Zschopau, Saxony, and raced as an amateur in the U-23 Wiesenhof team, with which he tasted success in the shape of the overall win at the Bundesliga Gerlingen in 2004.

Burghardt turned professional in 2005, and won the UCI ProTour race Gent–Wevelgem in 2007, ahead of teammate Roger Hammond.

He was successful in winning Stage 18 of the 2008 Tour de France into Saint Etienne, beating break-away compatriot Carlos Barredo.

[6] In April 2022, he announced his retirement from professional cycling, while rehabilitating from a severe wrist injury suffered at the 2021 Tour de Pologne.