With a stated goal of qualifying for the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships, F1 race car driver Valtteri Bottas kicked-off his training by racing in the Australian Gran Fondo National Championship this past weekend, placing 21st.

The Finn raced in the amateur men’s 35-39 age category for 58 kilometers on a fully closed course, including five ascents of Mount Buninyong in the city of Ballarat. He finished in 21st place out of 41 participants with a time 1:31:01, 11 minutes behind the winner.

Bottas’ cycling enthusiasm has grown in recent years, with the F1 driver now dedicating more time to train and participate in gravel races. While he (and his Alfa Romeo F1 team) would love to win a championship in 2024, Bottas seems equally focused on competing in another world championship – the UCI Gravel World Championship in October. 

With coaching and training from his girlfriend, pro cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, Bottas aims to qualify for the UCI Gravel World Championships by finishing in the top 25% of his age/gender category at one of the upcoming qualifying races.

In the meantime, he is preparing for the first F1 race of 2024, Bahrain Gran Prix on 29 February.

Photo Credit: X-Twitter/@ValterriBottas

© 2019-2024 All Rights Reserved Gran Fondo Daily News