Valtteri Bottas, born on August 28, 1989, in Nastola, Finland, has established himself as one of the standout drivers in Formula 1. However, beyond the race tracks, Bottas has developed a deep passion for cycling, a hobby that has grown significantly in recent years and led him to participate in international competitions, such as the Gravel World Championship.
Bottas started his career in karting and quickly gained notoriety after excelling in Formula Renault 2.0 and Formula 3. He was recruited by Williams in 2013, marking the beginning of his Formula 1 journey. His consistency and skill earned him a seat with Mercedes in 2017, where he achieved ten wins and 67 podiums before joining Alfa Romeo (now Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber) in 2022, where he remains to this day.
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His interest in sports and his desire to balance physical and mental well-being led him to explore the world of cycling, particularly gravel cycling, a discipline that combines extreme physical effort with the enjoyment of natural surroundings.
Bottas’ passion for cycling intensified when he began a relationship with Australian professional cyclist Tiffany Cromwell. Since 2020, the two have shared training sessions and races, further solidifying his love for two wheels. The Finnish driver even organized his own gravel event in Lahti, Finland, the FNLD GRVL, where he encourages the participation of both amateur and professional cyclists.
And it’s race week 🏁#VB77 pic.twitter.com/DaET4FGUgr
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) September 16, 2024
In several interviews, Bottas has expressed how cycling has become an essential part of his life, serving as both a way to stay fit and a mental escape: “I love challenging myself, and cycling allows me to see the world in a different way,” Bottas said. For him, the fairness in cycling, where the human factor is the driving force, contrasts with the technological dependence in Formula 1, something he finds liberating.
Bottas‘ love for cycling is not just a pastime, he has integrated this discipline into his physical preparation for Formula 1, where staying in top condition is crucial: “Cycling helps me stay strong and fit. It’s a fundamental part of my training,” Bottas states. For him, this sport is not only a means of physical preparation but also a mental escape that allows him to disconnect from the frenetic world of Formula 1.
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On October 6, 2024, Bottas participated in the UCI Gravel World Championship in Flanders, Belgium, competing in the men’s 35-39 category. Over the course of the 182-kilometer route, the Finnish driver showcased his remarkable physical and competitive ability. Although he finished in 133rd place, an hour behind the elite race champion, Mathieu van der Poel, Bottas completed the race in a respectable time of 5 hours and 40 minutes, standing out among the 232 cyclists registered in his category.
“It was a tough but rewarding experience,” Bottas commented after the race. Despite a puncture near the end, the Finn expressed satisfaction with competing alongside some of the best cyclists in the world.
With his participation in the Gravel World Championship, Bottas has proven that his passion for cycling goes beyond a simple hobby, becoming a versatile athlete who continues to explore new challenges beyond the race tracks.
