Doha: After three months of adventure on their bicycles covering over 7000 km from Paris to Doha, two ardent French football fans, Mehdi Balamissa and Gabriel Martin, arrived to a rousing welcome at the Lusail QNB metro station cycling track on Thursday, November 17, 2022.
The duo, who started their epic journey from the Stade de France on August 20, were ushered into Qatar from the Abu Samra border station by a combined team of riders from the Qatar Cycling Federation and the French Cyclists Association in Qatar.
Balamissa, a documentary filmmaker, and Martin, a TV producer, said they came up with the idea when they were cycling to Italy for a Nations League game last year and now hope to complete their long journey ahead of France's opening game against Australia on November 22.
"A lot of people thought we were crazy when we came up with the idea, but we are just two fun-loving guys who have always enjoyed taking on a challenge." "We are happy we came into Qatar safe and sound, and we hope to see France successfully defend the World Cup title here in Qatar," Balamissa said.
Detailing their itinerary, Martin said that the journey took them through several countries in Europe and the Middle East before they finally arrived in Qatar.
"We started in France, then rode across Europe—France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Cyprus— before entering the Middle East through Israel, and from there, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and eventually Qatar," he said.
He went on to say that while the journey had been difficult, the duo's determination and passion had carried them "across the finish line."
"We encountered a lot of challenges along the way, both physical and mechanical, but we were determined to succeed. "We hope our adventure will be a source of inspiration to many who have been following us all along the trip, and we believe many will come up after us to take on similar or different challenges as well," Martin added.
To arrive in Qatar, the duo of adventurers had to cover an average of 120 kilometers a day across varying weather conditions and terrains.
"We are here to support France and to inspire our team in our own little way." "I look forward to France lifting the trophy again, as that would be the real icing on the cake as far as our story is concerned," Balamissa added.
France, who are drawn in Group D that includes Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia, will begin their title defence against Australia on November 22 at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.