Valtteri Bottas took part in a cycling race in Scotland alongside his girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled. The Finnish star admitted he “enjoyed” the UCI Gravel World Series event at the Galloway Forest Park where he finished 114th.
Lewis Hamilton’s former team-mate completed the stunning 70 mile course in a little over four hours. Bottas posted a series of images of him competing in the event on social media.
In one photo he was seen sticking his tongue out after completing the race covered in mud and grit. He posted the caption: “Different kind of race weekend.
“Really enjoyed challenging myself at the 113km UCI world series gravel race. Hero Tiffany Cromwell won the women’s category. Most important we had a great day out.”
Bottas announced he would compete in the event after the F1 race in Imola was axed due to flooding. In a video uploaded on Instagram, Bottas was seen surveying the course with Cromwell ahead of the race.
He posted: “We are in Scotland and ready to gravel tomorrow. A little recon ride today – course looks beautiful.” The event was the first-ever UCI Gravel race hosted in the UK with more than 1,000 riders taking part.
Cromwell topped the women’s leaderboard for the second consecutive week after taking victory in Australia. Cromwell commented: “It had a bit of everything – there was some really fast gravel, there was some pretty tough stuff to get through.
“But I liked it, that’s what gravel should be, a good gravel course should be a mixture of everything.” UCI organisers appeared stunned at Bottas’ arrival but praised the Alfa Romeo star for his efforts.
In a touching message, they wrote: “Remarkable guest at the start was F1 driver Valtteri Bottas who came directly from the cancelled Imola Grand Prix to join the race in support of his girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell. He did well himself with a 114th place overall.”
Cromwell also thanked Bottas for taking part and joked that he did well for a “part-time cyclist”. She wrote on Instagram: “Special mention to @valtteribottas who made a last minute trip up to Scotland to join me and pinned on a number as well.
“He had a pretty strong ride up against a very strong men’s field. Not bad for a part-time cyclist.”
