From Paris to Doha with love: A ‘life-changing’ 7,000km cycle ride for two Frenchmen

French duo cycle 7,000km from Paris to Doha to support Les Blues at FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022

Team News Porter

Myriads are the ways of expressing one’s love for one’s sporting teams or heroes. Passion for sports, as we have seen, overrides geographical boundaries. For two fans of the French soccer team vying for the top spot at the FIFA World Cup 2022 mega event under way in Qatar, it was one unique way to express their support for their team. Well, Frenchmen Gabriel Martin and Mehdi Balamissa arrived in Qatar for the top global sporting event after a “life-changing” 7,000km cycle ride from Paris to Doha.

In short, it was an epic three-month journey from the Stade de France to Lusail Stadium: It took the duo three months to ride from the Stade de France to Lusail Stadium – where they hope France will retain the World Cup on 18 December, according to a news report on qatar2022.qa.

Speaking on their arrival in Lusail just days before the tournament, Martin was quoted as saying: “It’s amazing to be here outside Lusail Stadium, where we hope France will win the World Cup for the third time – after claiming their first title at the Stade de France in 1998. It’s been a life-changing journey that took us to some amazing places like Istanbul, Petra and Jerusalem.”

Not an easy task

“It was not an easy journey. We faced many mechanical issues with our bicycles and had to battle injury and fatigue – but those hardships made completing the journey even more special,” added Martin, a content producer.

The duo landed with the idea to ride to Doha after travelling from France to Italy for a UEFA Nations League match last year. Encouraged by their experience, they made it their goal to ride all the way to Qatar for the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world.

Documentary filmmaker Balamissa said: “We love football – and we also love riding our bicycles. We know they offer a great way to travel because you can cover great distances and take your time to enjoy your surroundings. It was a long trip – but thanks to the strength of our legs, we created memories that will last a lifetime.”

Memorable journey

Riding over mountains in Turkey and across the Arabian desert, said Balamissa, were particularly memorable.

“We were pedaling for four weeks in the desert, and it was completely fascinating. Just listening to myself describe the journey sounds unbelievable – but the welcome and hospitality we experienced along the way made it worthwhile. It has been mind-blowing.”

Saudi adventurer Abdullah Al Salmi had walked 1,600km from Jeddah to Doha in 55 days while Argentinean quartet – Lucas Ledezma, Leandro Pighi, Silvio Gatti and Matias Vercesi – cycled to Qatar from South Africa, a journey of 10,000km in 177 days.

“Even though we knew Doha and the World Cup were our final destination, we refused to get excited until we crossed the border,” said Balamissa. “We knew the journey would be difficult – but this amazing reception is very emotional for us.”

Also read: Brazil the favourite team to win 2022 World Cup, says veteran Ronaldus de Boer – THE NEWS PORTER

[Main/featured picture of the French duo courtesy qatar2022.qa]