Marie Mahé, Media365: published on Thursday October 3, 2024 at 6:20 p.m.
A big fan of cycling, Finnish Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas will be at the start of the gravel world championships this weekend.
From the Formula 1 paddocks to the gravel world championships, there is clearly only one step. This weekend takes place the 2024 edition of this cycling event, in the province of Flemish Brabant in Belgium. In the starting list, in the 35-39 year old category, one name is surprising. Indeed, Valtteri Bottas will indeed be in the running to defend his chances. The regular driver of the Swiss Kick Sauber team, 2019 and 2020 Formula 1 world vice-champion, is a big fan of cycling and this very particular discipline of gravel. If he can participate in these Worlds, it is because he simply managed to qualify, like all the other participants. His qualification dates back to last April. At that time, Valtteri Bottas had taken the final sixth place in the round of the Swartberg 100, on the South African side. In October 2023, the Finn took part in the Gravel Euro, in the amateur category. These Worlds are scheduled between two Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Bottas arrives with his partner, professional cyclist
The next race will take place in the United States, starting October 18. At these gravel world championships, Valtteri Bottas will arrive with his family. Indeed, his partner Tiffany Cromwell is a professional cyclist. The latter will therefore have real ambitions. If the presence of Bottas will certainly be one of the main attractions of this event, other stars have responded for these Worlds. The biggest names in cycling will compete for the world title won last year by Slovenian Matej Mohoric. The latter will be there, to keep his property, just like Gianni Vermeesch, to whom he succeeded on the list. Mathieu van der Poel will also be one to watch. Among the ladies, the Polish Katarzyna Niewiadoma, winner of the last Tour de France and crowned last year, will not be present this year.
