The bus carrying Argentine National Team players sitting comfortably on its stomach, with Lionel Messi at the head, departs from the Gran Hotel Dominé located in the heart of Bilbao towards a new squad training session preparing for on crossing Italy to London on Wednesday. To some curious Basques who approached, It’s impossible not to see a group of Argentines wearing Argentines from head to toe waving the flag (Argentina, of course) and they display a message in the glass windows of campus transport: “Let’s go to Doha, let’s take a picture?”is read in black letters the phrase written in an improvised manner on the back of an insulating camping mat.
Next to these blue-and-white tufted wackos, super-equipped all-terrain bikes perched on a utility pole. They are from these four friends from Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos, who are desperate to greet the players and show them their passion and love.
But they don’t wear that for no reason or because of crazy people. Ok They will be auctioned because they decided to accompany the national team to the World Cup in Qatar, but riding their bicycles. Yes, in all, they would travel more than 6,000 miles[9,000 km]in six months until they reached Doha.
The captain – as others call him – of the group Michael Silius, a 52-year-old scribe with much experience doing thousands of miles aboard his faithful companion with two wheels and a pedal. Miguel has also been to the World Cup in Russia the same way and now he has invited his friends to accompany him on this truly dangerous journey.
Miguel, Yamandú, Luis and Franco were friends from Gualeguaychú and they endured the National Team in Bilbao; they will also enter the final in London. Photo: Mario Quinteros (special envoy)
Next to him was Yamandú Martínez, a 45 -year -old employee; Luis Ledri, a 59-year-old retired teacher; and Franco Baggio, a 29 -year -old business administrator.
“We started in Madrid on Saturday last week. This Monday we think we will be entering France. And we will be in London to see the final against Italy,” says Miguel with his helmet on. He explained that the starting point is the capital of Spain because it is the easiest access to Europe. They crossed the Atlantic by plane with their disassembled bicycles and the journey began.
“It started because of him (pointed to Miguel), who has been cycling for more than 20 years. He invited us to come with him today. I’ve been with him on another trip through South America. But this one is special because we’re looking for the Cup .Because we feel it’s part of it as well, ”Yamandú said.
The original idea was to leave from the Côte d’Azur, France, but they changed the route to be said to be present at Finalissima. “We are taking a longer lap. It is longer, but it is worth it”, Miguel did not hesitate and revealed what is the biggest obstacle they have in their long journey.
“The biggest logistical difficulty to get to Doha by bicycle is getting a Saudi Arabian visa. I’ve done all the paperwork, I’ve talked to the Argentine authorities to see if they can help me. It’s a big help if they can give me some information because it is not easy to get a visa from Saudi Arabia and it is an essential requirement to get to Doha by bicycle ”, he sadly detailed, but was optimistic in resolving it in some way.
Argentine cyclists greeted the Argentine team bus and asked for a photo with Messi to help them on their journey. Photo: Mario Quinteros (special envoy)
Of course, no plan b. If that fails, they have to get there by air, although so far they don’t see that as a valid option: “I want to get there by bike after a lot of effort and traveling so many kilometers. This is my biggest. dream of the moment. “
That’s also why they’re looking to get a picture with “Messi or with someone from the team.” What is the reason? “It’s not because of the cholulos, eh,” they warned. They say that at some border crossings when the situation has become unfriendly, showing that they have the support of the National Team can help pave the way for them.
Franco, the youngest in the gang bikeargentinosis excited to know that he will see the best player in the world: “I saw Messi once with the National Team at the Monumental against Ecuador and another time in Barcelona. But I want to see him again. And I will see him in London is going for crazy “.
Luis, the oldest, adds: “Like all Argentines, football is our passion. I retired two years ago, Miguel invited me to another trip but I didn’t dare and now I have time and I got the family permit., “I went on the trip. It’s all for our passion for the National Team”.
Franco’s camera is mounted in his case and there he records the trip. They created an Instagram account called @enbiciando_gchu to upload all the content there and add followers who make it difficult for them.
“My bike traveled almost 18,000 kilometers so it had its bumps and its traveled countries. I was in Russia too: I went from Madrid to Moscow. On that occasion my husband accompanied me halfway of the trip, which was usually my traveling companion and who will now join Turkey, and a friend, Carlos Aguilar, half.We went to the games and then continued on to the Baltic and Scandinavian countries.A journey of several thousand kilometers, ”Miguel said.
Franco detailed how the organization works: “We have a route plan and there are stops defined in advance. But the truth is the itinerary changes because there are unexpected events. The wind can toy with you and delay you. The idea is always It’s about trying to complete 100 kilometers in a day.If we can’t get there, we have to stay where we are, whether it’s in the hostel or in the tent, or organize ourselves the way we can.I see every day “.
The bikes are very well equipped and there is no detail left on the occasion. They have all sorts of tools and spare parts, like spokes, tube and cover, and “things that will survive if we stay,” Yamandú says. And he added between laughs: “What do you have in your house, except the armchair and TV, we have it all.”
Riding on their wheeled horses, these pedal riders spin Bilbao and people stop to watch them. They asked what they were doing, where they were going and they were surprised to hear that the final destination was Doha. They, full of enthusiasm, prepared their feet and their hearts for a passion -driven adventure made by the National Team.
Bilbao. Special shipment
Source: Clarin
