Mike Michaelides Makes a Powerful Debut in the Elite Class

Cypriot athlete Mike Michaelides delivered a remarkable performance in the opening round of the UIM MotoSurf World Championship 2026, held at Bilak Bay in Çeşme, Turkey, as part of the Grand Prix “My35 Club Turkish Style.” The Cypriot champion — who held the Stock World Champion title in 2025 — stepped up to the Elite class this year, and immediately showed he belongs there.From Stock to EliteMichaelides is among the riders who moved up for 2026. Together with American Anthony Squire — last year’s Stock champion — both graduated to the Elite class: the pinnacle of MotoSurf competition, featuring the most finely tuned boards and the most experienced riders in the world.In Elite, he found himself lining up against names such as multiple world champion Lukas Zahorski — gold medalist at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu — and reigning 2025 champion Matthijs Nowotny.An Expensive SportMotoSurf is not only physically demanding — it is also one of the most expensive sports in the world. An Elite competition board costs €35,000 for the board alone. After the tough conditions in Çeşme — with waves up to one metre and winds of 40–45 km/h — Mike’s board requires repairs estimated at €1,800, which will be carried out in the Czech Republic ahead of the next round in Prague.The upcoming round in Sweden is estimated to cost between €11,000 and €15,000 in total, including travel, accommodation, and board logistics. These figures make it abundantly clear just how critical sponsor support is for an athlete competing at world level.Heat PerformanceThroughout Saturday’s and Sunday’s heats, Michaelides was consistently competitive. His best result came in Heat 4, where he finished 5th — overtaking Squire for the first time — a result that caught the attention of commentator Jake Sadson:“Michelidis for the first time finishes ahead of Anthony Squire. A good run from the Cypriot.”In the overall standings after the heats, Michaelides held 6th place — a debut that proved his transition to Elite was far more than a formality.An Impressive Start in the FinalThe highlight of the weekend for Michaelides came in the Elite class final. Off the start, the Cypriot rider launched an incredible opening and found himself in 3rd place — behind only Nowotny and Zahorski — ahead of experienced competitors including Alex Lukscheider and Adam Fitchek.The commentator could barely contain his surprise: “Michelidis is in 3rd place in his first ever Elite final. Unbelievable.”Although Michaelides later fell from his board during the final — entirely understandable on a course that Zahorski himself described as the toughest he has faced in MotoSurf — his time running at the front of the field represents an extraordinary achievement for a newcomer to the class.Cyprus Flag at the Flag CeremonyBeyond his on-water performances, Michaelides proudly represented Cyprus in the flag parade — the championship’s traditional ceremony held between the heats and finals — carrying the Cypriot flag high among 19 nations and 93 riders.Next Stop: Prague — Between Military CommitmentsRound 2 of the championship takes place in Prague, Czech Republic, on 24–26 July 2026. Michaelides will arrive there directly after completing military duties — enlisting on 10 July and reporting to his battalion on 13 July — underscoring the full breadth of sacrifices his world championship campaign demands.The following round in Sweden carries an estimated total participation cost of between €11,000 and €15,000.A Championship on the RiseThe 2026 opening round showcased a championship in continuous growth. Çeşme welcomed 19 countries and 93 riders across seven categories. MotoSurf made its debut at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, and is already targeting a return in 2029.Gratitude to SponsorsMike Michaelides extends his sincere thanks to the sponsors whose support makes his participation at the highest level of world MotoSurf possible:YELLOW BET | BRUNSWICK GROUP | MANTOVANI PLOTIN TRAVEL | KOA | SEAWOLF WATERSPORTS | FORCE 8 SPORTSTheir backing is a decisive factor in Mike Michaelides’ international athletic journey.