About Mike Hadjioannou

Mike (Michalis) Hadjioannou is the founder of Activate Cyprus and one of the driving forces behind the rise of Cyprus as a cycling and outdoor-sports destination. His journey in cycling spans coaching, event production, tourism development, and infrastructure consulting—roles that together shaped a unique expertise rarely found in one person.

Mike began his career as a cycling coach, driven by a passion to help young athletes reach their full potential. Over the years, he coached some of the most promising cyclists in Cyprus, guiding them to the highest levels of the sport. His athletes have represented Cyprus in four Olympic Games, in both Road and Mountain Bike disciplines, and have competed with distinction in European and World Championships, as well as the Mediterranean and Commonwealth Games.

At the same time, Mike’s vision for Cyprus as a cycling destination led him into the world of event organization and production. Together with his team at Activate Cyprus, he created and delivered some of the island’s most respected events. They organized the legendary Cyprus Sunshine Cup until 2020, hosted world-class athletes, and continue to produce the Cyprus Gran Fondo, now one of the flagship amateur cycling events in Europe. Under his leadership, the team has grown to handle major cycling, triathlon, and trail-running events, setting high standards in the region.

Mike’s expertise naturally expanded into cycling development and tourism consulting. Today, he works closely with national and regional authorities, municipalities, and tourism boards to design cycling routes, improve infrastructure, and implement cycling-friendly practices across the hospitality industry. His work helps ensure that Cyprus not only welcomes cyclists—but truly supports them.

Through Activate Cyprus, Mike continues to promote the island’s unique landscapes, warm climate, and diverse terrain to cyclists from around the world. His mission is simple: to make Cyprus a place where every cyclist—professional or recreational—feels inspired to ride.