Abu Dhabi: For someone like Nemo Acimovic who has pedalled his way up in life, cycling seemed the most natural way to keep fit.
His journey from a busboy at a London restaurant to the general manager of Millennium Corniche Hotel in Abu Dhabi was no less challenging than the endurance bike rides he undertakes.
“In cycling you have to push your limits and face challenges using both your mental and physical abilities. You apply the same strategies in life as well as in business,” said 46-year-old cycling enthusiast.
He joined Millennium Hotel as general manager in early 2016.
Migrated to London
Hailing from Serbia, Acimovic migrated to London in 1990 and climbed the corporate ladder in the hospitality industry. “I started as a busboy, progressed to a bartender, and then from restaurant manager to F&B director at casinos in Australia before coming to Abu Dhabi to work as assistant general manager with Starwood Hotels,” said Acimovic who is married with two kids.
All through, a regular fitness regime is what helped him stay focused.
Cycling became a passion when he took strides at a four-day challenge at the popular Tour de France cycling championship in France in 2012.
“It was my first professional cycling tour. It was a 570-km four-day leg we covered from Mont Blanc to Monte Carlo where we bicycled up the highest mountain in the Alps,” said Acimovic.
“To prepare for the ride, I cycled around 5,000km between November 2011 and August 2012. That got me hooked into this sport.”
Since then Acimovic has participated in many endurance rides, including the Dead Sea to Red Sea charity ride in Jordan, Spinneys Challenge and Yas Challenge in Abu Dhabi.
Despite his busy schedule, he finds time on evenings and weekends to hit the Al Qudra cycling track and Yas racing track along with his wife Vivienne, who is a personal trainer, and their two children.
“Cycling is in the family now. When I am not working, I am either cycling with my wife and kids doing 60 to 70km on weekends.”
Acimovic says cycling is not just a sport for him but a tool for self-discipline and [his] formula for success.
“Cycling is like business. You have to keep the pace and be steady as you go up. There are times when you want to give up but you keep yourself motivated till you reach the finishing point,” said Acimovic.
