Mae Cornes
Photo source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/panoramic-view-of-people-in-bicycles-248559/
Igor Makarov, a Cyprus-based businessman, has achieved international recognition through his food supply and oil and gas trading ventures in the 1990s. As the founder of ARETI International Group, his strategic investments have propelled the company to worldwide prominence. However, Makarov’s impact extends far beyond the boardroom.
More than just a successful entrepreneur, Makarov is a passionate cycling advocate. From a young boy who dreamed, trained, and competed in the cycling world, he returns the favor and uses his experience and resources to foster opportunities for aspiring cyclists to pursue their passion in the sport.
Leveling the Playing Field for Potential Cyclists
Makarov’s deep commitment to cycling stems from his experiences as a former professional cyclist from Turkmenistan. Knowing the thrill and challenges of competitive cycling, he founded the Swiss-based professional cycling team Katusha in 2009, providing a platform for emerging talents in professional cycling.
Makarov founded Katusha to allow cyclists to compete and excel at the sport’s highest levels. Indeed, Katusha debuted 27 professional cyclists from all over the world, competed in the renowned UCI ProTeam/WorldTour, and participated in prestigious races like the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España.
Katusha members viewed being part of the team as more than just wearing a team jersey. It was a chance to compete against the best in the world, learn from seasoned professionals, and showcase their talents on one of the most visible stages in sports. Makarov’s investment in the team helped many cyclists advance their careers and achieve personal milestones in major international competitions.
Makarov mentions, “Katusha allowed cyclists to show what they got and build a network of other professionals in the cycling world. This network provided invaluable resilience, teamwork, and international sportsmanship lessons.”
Makarov on Practical Initiatives
As part of a cycling team, Makarov understands that funding is crucial for success in professional cycling. This recognition guided his philanthropic vision for Katusha, leading him to generously fund cyclists under the team through his company.
This financial backing provided Katusha’s cyclists with resources, coaching, and equipment. From state-of-the-art training facilities to nutritional support and medical care, the investment enabled them to focus on honing their skills and training for competitions without the burden of financial constraints.
Makarov notes, “Building a career in cycling is not easy, especially with insufficient resources. I wanted to remove this burden from the Katusha cyclists so they could focus on improving their skills and winning.”
Makarov’s investment paid off. From 2009 to 2015, Katusha riders Joaquim Rodríguez, Alexander Kristoff, Daniel Moreno, Simon Špilak, Filippo Pozzato, Luca Paolini, Ilnur Zakarin, and Tony Martin, among others, won 192 races and placed 344 times on the podium. These and subsequent wins firmly established them as among the three best teams in the UCI WorldTour professional rankings, placing second in 2012 and 2015 and third in 2013.
As a cycling fan, Makarov never viewed his support in Katusha as a profit-making venture but rather as a charitable promotion of cycling. For him, the value of funding the team was in the broader impact it could have on increasing the sport’s popularity and accessibility and empowering more cyclists to be at their best.
Cycling for a Broader Social Impact
As a philanthropist, Makarov also discovered other ways to combine his love for cycling with advancing worthy causes outside Katusha. In 2020, the Makarov Foundation, through the 11th annual ANF Group Tour de Broward, helped raise an impressive $700,000 for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, a renowned pediatric facility in Hollywood.
The Tour de Broward brought together over 7,000 people at Miramar Regional Park, where they participated in a variety of activities, including 50K and 100K bicycle rides, a timed 5K run, a 3K walk, and the “Power of Play Kid Zone,” an engaging sports-themed area for children aged 13 and under. The event attracted a diverse crowd, including current and former patients and their families, teams of dedicated fundraisers, and participants.
The $700,000 raised through the event was allocated towards expanding and improving services at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, enhancing its existing facilities and providing treatment to more patients while maintaining the highest standards of medical excellence.
“It is truly heartwarming to witness how two important aspects of my life – my passion for cycling and my commitment to philanthropy – have come together to champion such a worthy cause,” Makarov shares.
In addition to the Tour de Broward, Makarov also participated in The Hublot Best Buddies Challenge: Miami, a prestigious 70-mile cycling event dedicated to supporting the causes of Best Buddies. This organization creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Reflecting on Today’s Professional Cycling
After years of successful leadership and funding at Katusha, Makarov took a pivotal turn, sold the team, and focused his philanthropic initiatives on funding other health- and medical-related organizations.
“My mission is also to explore more ways to help and enrich other sectors,” Makarov adds. From Katusha, his philanthropic initiatives expanded, paving the way for more health and medical-related projects such as building a clinic for adult autistic individuals in Miami, sponsoring books with convex illustrations and audio support for visually impaired children to enjoy, and many others.
Makarov’s initiatives are a significant part of cycling philanthropy today and have helped the sport achieve its current stature and influence. Cycling has grown significantly from its simpler beginnings to becoming a global phenomenon, even part of the most prestigious global sports competitions. Igor Makarov views the growing embrace of cycling as both a competitive sport and a societal staple, reflecting broader cultural shifts. He is enthusiastic about its future global impact.