French cyclist detained in Russia after attempt to break Eurasia record

French ultra-distance cyclist Sofiane Sehili remains in custody in Russia after being arrested on charges of illegally crossing the border while attempting to set a world record for the fastest bicycle crossing of Eurasia.

The 44-year-old athlete was detained in early September in Primorsky Krai, around 200 kilometers from his intended finish line in Vladivostok. Russian authorities say he tried to cross from China through a wooded area near the Suifenhe checkpoint after being denied entry at an official border crossing, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

According to the regional outlet Govorit NeMoskva, border officials refused him entry because his electronic visa was valid only for arrivals through airports.

A court in Primorsky Krai has ordered that Sehili remain in pre-trial detention until October 4. He is currently being held in the city of Ussuriysk. Vladimir Naidin, chairman of the region's Public Monitoring Commission, told Russian media that the cyclist had no complaints about his conditions in custody.

Sehili, a former documentary filmmaker turned endurance racer, launched his record attempt from Portugal on July 1. He aimed to beat the 2017 record set by German cyclist Jonas Deichmann, who completed the crossing from Cape Roca to Vladivostok in 64 days, two hours, and 26 minutes.

Over the past decade, Sehili has covered more than 200,000 kilometers across 50 countries and five continents, winning 11 major races, including the Tour Divide — a 4,500-kilometer mountain bike race from Canada to Mexico.

His Eurasia route took him through Russia in late July via Chechnya and Astrakhan, before continuing through Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, and China, with Vladivostok set as the final destination.

By Sabina Mammadli