Bale’s already a marathon man after epic journey to China

GARETH Bale was undoubtedly the star attraction when he arrived in Nanning for Wales’ China Cup campaign.

Such is the 28-year-old’s status, the FAW would actually lose £100,000 of their £1m fee if the Real Madrid ace did not feature at the tournament not that Bale would ever let that happen.

His journey to China proves his commitment to the cause as Ryan Giggs prepares for his first camp as a manager of the national side.

And Bale is set to be among those to feature in the competition after a marathon journey to China.

Bale came on as a substitute for Real Madrid in their La Liga clash with Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night, scoring his side’s fifth goal in an emphatic 6-3 win.

And that was to be the end of his club commitments for a fortnight, but it proved to be the beginning of a remarkable trip.

Having helped Los Galacticos’ clinch victory in Spain, Bale soon set off from Madrid to Luton Airport in a private jet before hot-footing it to a hotel in Richmond for an overnight stay.

The next phase of his journey took him to Heathrow Airport – meeting up with Adam Matthews along the way – where he boarded the 10-anda-half hour flight to Guangzhou, arriving at 6am local time yesterday morning.

A three-and-a-half hour wait at Guangzhou Airport then followed before Bale boarded the final one of his three flights to get to Nanning, arriving at the China Cup’s host city at midday on Tuesday.

And having collected his luggage, the Wales talisman was quickly carted by minibus to the Wales team’s hotel before quickly heading off to the Guangxi Sports Centre for his side’s first training session in-front of the media.

Bale’s incredible trip in

full: Santiago Bernabeu to Madrid Airport – 7 miles, Madrid Airport to Luton Airport – 1,100m, Luton Airport to Richmond – 37m, Richmond to Heathrow Airport – 8m, Heathrow Airport to Guangzhou Airport – 5,910m, Guangzhou Airport to Nanning International Airport – 350m, Nanning International Airport to Wales’ team hotel – 18m, Wales’ team hotel to Guangxi Sports Center - 3m

Total: 7,433 miles.