Drivers don’t like to stay still during breaks. So, Valtteri Bottas thought it would be a good idea to participate in the third edition of the Gravel Cycling World Championship to pass the time while waiting for F1 to return.
The race took place from Halle to Leuven, Belgium, featuring both professionals and amateurs. The Finnish driver, a long-time cycling enthusiast, didn’t miss the opportunity to compete.
Valtteri Bottas happy despite a flat tire
The Stake driver, who is still waiting to learn about his future, competed in the men’s 35-39 category, finishing the race in 5:40:04. This performance earned him 133rd place in his category and 202nd in the overall standings.
However, not everything went smoothly for Valtteri Bottas. The Finn suffered a flat tire 5 km from the finish, which cost him some time for repairs. The men’s professional race was won solo by Mathieu van der Poel, while Marianne Vos won the women’s race in a sprint.
At the end of the race, Valtteri Bottas, who seems to be enjoying his F1 break, commented on his social media about his experience at the Gravel Cycling World Championship.
“Completed, gravel WC done!” the Finn exclaimed. “It was tough as expected! With the huge number of people present, the queue for the single-track sections at the start, and the need to repair a flat tire 5 km from the finish. Other than that, I was quite happy with my day on the bike.”
“Thanks for all the support along the course, it was unreal! And thanks to everyone involved for the best support before and during the event. I’ll remember this day forever!” – the former Mercedes F1 driver wrote on social media.
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