Valtteri Bottas is preparing on his bicycle to participate in a UCI event
During the Formula 1 break, Valtteri Bottas participates in cycling competitions. The Finnish driver aims to participate in the World Cycling Championship in October 2024.
Valtteri Bottas is passionate about racing… and not just in automobiles. The Formula 1 driver greatly enjoys cycling. While waiting for the start of the Formula 1 season, Valtteri Bottas has decided to travel to Buninyong, Australia.
Since the beginning of his vacation as a Formula 1 driver, the former Mercedes athlete spends a large part of his time on the Australian continent. During his stay, he participated in the national event of the Auscycling National Championship Gran Fondo at Mount Buninyong.
Valtteri Bottas obtained the 21st best time in this race. Although he is only 34 years old, he competed in the 35-39 age category. For this event, the cyclists had to complete five laps of a 11.6 km track (over 50 km) with an elevation gain of 205 meters on a previously closed circuit. The steepest climb on this course was 8.4%.
A participation in the World Championship.
Cycling is one of Valtteri Bottas’ passions, and he practices it a lot during F1 breaks. But his competitive mentality doesn’t stay in the garage with his helmet. The Finnish driver is aiming to participate in the World Championship in October 2024, with the goal of taking part in the UCI World Gravel Championship. This event will take place in Halle-Leuven, Belgium.
“I take racing seriously and I will always seek to challenge myself and make the most of it,” Valtteri Bottas explained in the Bobby & Jens podcast. “I am fully committed, whether it’s about the results, the tactics, or the average speed. I don’t mind pushing myself to the limit. I love it.”
In order to validate his participant ticket, the 34-year-old athlete must finish among the top 25% of the best cyclists in the 35/39 age category at a UCI Gravel World Series event. He has 24 races to achieve this. Next week, Bottas can already try his luck in Adelaide. « The event is in January and I’m going to Australia for Christmas, so it fits perfectly, “said the Finn. « I will try to qualify for the gravel worlds next year. »
The UCI World Gravel Championship will take place on October 7th and 8th, 2024. During this period, Formula 1 will be on hiatus. Starting from the Singapore Grand Prix (from September 20th to 22nd), there will be no more races until October 17th and the United States Grand Prix. Therefore, Valtteri Bottas will have the possibility to participate.
