Wheel ride to the World Cup

TWO England fans are cycling 2,300 miles to the World Cup in Russia. And the intrepid pair are more worried about punctures along the way than any trouble from hooligans.

Mitch Jones and Jamie Marriott must cover 100 miles a day to reach Volgograd for England’s June 18 opener with Tunisia.

Jamie, 28, has followed the lads at home and away since Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. He got Mitch, 24, hooked during the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

The lads, from Emsworth, Hants, thought flying was too easy so they set themselves a challenge to raise money for charity.

Mitch said: “We wanted to do something in memory of Brian Randall, my old youth team football coach, who sadly passed away in January. We wanted to honour him by raising money for The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.”

Nando’s worker Mitch said: “Jamie and I had a hugely positive experience in Russia with the locals the last time we were there. “Very hospitable people, they put us up in their homes when we were stuck for accommodation while driving through Siberia and we hope for the same again.

“We’re not worried about the threat of violence. The main thing on our mind is getting to Russia without any major bike malfunctions.”

Jamie who teaches English in Berlin said: “Having cycled from John O’Groats to Lands End, we’ve learned to pack lightly and to not dawdle over lunch.”