Latifa Benharara, a young Moroccan-Italian cyclist, has taken on the challenge of cycling approximately 4,500 km from the Maiella massif in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy to the Sahara. The journey, which started on Sunday in the town of Sulmona, will take her through France and Spain before concluding her sporting adventure at the end of November in Erg Chigaga, one of the major ergs in Morocco's southern provinces. In a statement to MAP, Benharara shared that through this challenge—both sporting and cultural, social, and human—she aims to demonstrate that Moroccan, Maghrebi, and Arab women are fully capable of cycling and traveling the world on their own. She added that this journey is also an opportunity to promote human values and exchanges through sport, particularly cycling, while encouraging its use to maintain physical and mental health. Additionally, she aims to focus on eco-tourism and sustainability. «This 43-stage trip, averaging around 100 kilometers a day, was presented to the Italian parliament and received their endorsement», she explained. As the secretary of the prestigious «Giro d'Italia», the renowned Italian cycling tour, Latifa Benharara shared that this adventure, named «From Maiella to Sahara: Bike Experience», was delayed due to a severe illness, which she successfully overcame. «This is the right year for my trip. I've fully recovered», she said with confidence. A number of amateur and professional cyclists have joined her on certain stages to support her. Benharara added that a small team would accompany her throughout the journey, with the highlights posted daily on social media. As President of the Ilhem Cultural Association, she mentioned that her cycling trip is also an opportunity to support children affected by earthquakes, by building structures where they can grow through sporting, artistic, and cultural activities. Passionate about cycling, outdoor sports, and adventure, this talented artist-painter has contributed to organizing several sporting, artistic, and cultural events in Italy and abroad. Her linguistic skills, being a polyglot who speaks Italian, French, English, and Arabic, have further aided her, thanks to her Moroccan parents. With the motto «The freedom to ride a bike is for everyone», and with the encouragement of her parents and friends, Latifa Benharara embarked on her journey from Sulmona, bound for the golden dunes of Morocco's Southern Provinces.
