Arctic Ventures Joins the Ride
In partnership with Arctic Ventures
Sponsorship in motorsport has always been about more than placing a logo on a machine.
At its best, it creates a relationship between a brand and an experience—one that gives the sponsor a place inside a story rather than simply beside it.
For Chepurko and Team Silk Rider, Arctic Ventures became part of that story during Hellas Rally 2026.
For Anton Alikov, Founder and CEO of Arctic Ventures, the partnership also reflects a broader commitment to supporting European sport and the people whose ambition extends beyond conventional boundaries.
“At Arctic Ventures, we believe in supporting European sport and talented athletes who are prepared to challenge themselves at the highest level,” says Anton Alikov. “For us, this is more than sponsorship. We see a broader mission in helping ambitious people pursue difficult goals and giving them the support to move forward.”
Alikov sees Chepurko as a natural fit for that philosophy.
“Alex Chepurko is a talented athlete with an exceptional level of determination,” Alikov says. “Rally raids require courage, discipline, technical knowledge and the ability to make decisions under pressure. These are qualities that we respect enormously at Arctic Ventures.”
The Arctic-branded motorcycle brought a strong visual identity to the paddock, giving the partnership an immediate presence both at the event and in the photography surrounding it.
But for Alikov, the partnership goes beyond visibility.
“Of course, we are proud to see the Arctic Ventures name on the bike, especially when Alex is fighting for a podium,” Alikov says. “But the real value of the partnership is being part of his journey. You see the preparation, the setbacks, the risks and the amount of work behind every result. That is what makes supporting an athlete like Alex meaningful.”
More Than a Podium
A podium finish is easy to measure. The story behind it is harder to quantify.
It includes the preparation before the race, the long hours spent working on equipment, the physical demands of riding, the concentration required to navigate unfamiliar terrain and the decisions made when there is no support crew waiting at the finish.
It also includes the people and partners who make participation possible. That is where Arctic Ventures’ involvement becomes significant.
“Sport has a unique ability to bring together people from different countries and backgrounds around performance, competition and respect,” says Alikov. “As a European investment company, we want Arctic Ventures to contribute to that ecosystem. Supporting European athletes and sporting events is one of the ways we can make a positive contribution beyond our core investment activities.”
There is also a natural connection between the world of entrepreneurship and the mentality required in rally raids.
“There are similarities between entrepreneurship, investing and elite sport,” Alikov adds. “You have to make decisions with incomplete information, manage risk, remain disciplined and keep moving when circumstances change. Alex demonstrates that mentality every time he gets on the bike.”
For Arctic Ventures, therefore, the Hellas Rally provides a particularly vivid setting for that connection.
Backing European Talent
The partnership with Team Silk Rider also reflects what Alikov describes as a longer-term ambition for Arctic Ventures to become more involved in European sport.
“Europe has an extraordinary sporting culture and an enormous amount of talent,” Alikov says. “We would like to play our part in supporting that. Our goal is not simply to put the Arctic Ventures logo on a motorcycle. We want to stand behind talented people, follow their development and be there as they take on bigger challenges.”
Chepurko’s performance at Hellas Rally illustrates exactly the kind of journey Arctic Ventures wants to support.
“Alex is talented, but talent alone is never enough at this level,” Alikov says. “What impressed us is his character, his independence and his willingness to take responsibility for every part of the competition. In Malle Moto, there is nowhere to hide. You race the bike and then you have to look after it yourself. That tells you a lot about the person.”
For Alikov, the second-place opening-stage finish was therefore rewarding not simply because of the podium position, but because it demonstrated what preparation and persistence can produce.
“Seeing Alex finish P2 was a fantastic moment for all of us,” he says. “We are proud of the result, but we are even more proud to support the journey behind it. We believe there are many more achievements ahead.”
The Road Ahead
Second place on the first day does not determine the final story of a rally.
If anything, it creates another challenge: maintaining the pace while preserving the machine, staying focused through changing conditions and continuing to make the right decisions when fatigue inevitably arrives.
That is the nature of rally raids.
There is always another stage. Another climb. Another technical section. Another opportunity to get it right—or get it wrong.
For Alex “Silk Rider” Chepurko, Hellas Rally 2026 began with a podium and a clear message: the pace is there.
For Arctic Ventures, it also represents the beginning of something potentially larger.
“We want Arctic Ventures to be associated with ambition—not only in business and technology, but also in sport,” Alikov says. “Supporting Alex is part of that vision. We are proud to have him representing Arctic Ventures, and we look forward to supporting him as he takes on the next challenges.”
With Team Silk Rider carrying the competitive ambition and Arctic Ventures bringing its support and distinctive identity to the project, the journey across Greece became more than a race result.
It became a portrait of what modern rally competition can represent—a meeting point between performance, independence, adventure and the people willing to back the rider all the way into the dust.
Anton Alikov,
CEO and Founder
Arctic Ventures