"While the others are relaxing on their boats...": F1 star Valtteri Bottas stuns by qualifying for Gravel World Championship
GravelSunday, 02 August 2026 at 23:00
Valtteri Bottas made the most of Formula 1's summer break by securing qualification for the UCI Gravel World Championships. The Finnish Cadillac driver impressed with a top-five finish in his age category in the Czech Republic, although a calendar clash with Formula 1 is expected to prevent him from lining up at the world championships later this year.
Strong ride in Czech gravel race
Instead of spending the Formula 1 summer break on holiday, Bottas opted for another endurance challenge. The 36-year-old tackled a demanding 129-kilometre UCI Gravel World Series race in Hlinsko, Czech Republic, featuring 1,577 metres of climbing.
His performance earned him fifth place in the men's 35-39 age category, enough to secure qualification for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships. After the race, Bottas celebrated the achievement on social media.
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“While the others are relaxing on their boats, I finished fifth in the 35-39 age category and qualified for the Gravel World Championships. Thank you for the huge support on the tough course yesterday. Loved it!,” he wrote on his X account.
Bottas was not the only familiar name on the start line. His partner, Australian professional cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, also competed in the event, with the couple continuing their tradition of taking on cycling adventures together.
Valteri Bottas is a huge cycling fan
Formula 1 commitments likely to rule out Worlds
Despite earning qualification, Bottas is unlikely to take up his place at the Gravel World Championships. The event is scheduled to take place in Australia in October, on the very same weekend as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
With Bottas now racing for Cadillac in Formula 1, his commitments in Singapore are expected to take priority.
Bottas has long been one of Formula 1's most passionate cyclists. Away from the Grand Prix paddock, the ten-time Formula 1 race winner regularly spends his free time on both road and gravel bikes, often completing long endurance rides. In fact, he already competed at the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships, finishing in 133rd place in the men's 35-39 age category.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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