F1 star Valtteri Bottas rode Scottish gravel race with his girlfriend: "Most importantly we had a great day out"

Formula 1 star Valtteri Bottas traded four wheels for two at the weekend to take part in a gravel cycling race in southern Scotland. He was also there to support his girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell who won the women's race at The Gralloch event.

"Different kind of race weekend," said Bottas on his Instagram account. "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 finished 114th overall in a time of just over four hours for the 70 mile course at Gatehouse of Fleet.

The men's race in the event at Galloway Forest Park - the first ever UCI gravel world series race in the UK - was won by Connor Swift. More than 800 riders took part on Saturday, including the F1 driver.

Co-founder of the Gralloch, Maximilian Wussler, said it was "very exciting" to see a sporting superstar like Bottas take part in the proceedings. "It shows the rapidly growing appeal of gravel cycling," he said. "The town of Gatehouse was abuzz as the news emerged of Valtteri being a late addition to the start sheet. Down to earth, courteous and kind, it was a pleasure to have Valtteri join the Gralloch. We hope to see him back in future."