Gravel cycling brings Valtteri Bottas to Lahti in June, when Gravel Finland starts. The world’s most famous resident of Lahti organizes the event together with his girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell.
– Europe needs an event like this, Finland and Lahti need an event like this, says Bottas of the Gravel Finland cycling event, which will be held in Lahti’s Salpauselkä UNESCO Global Geopark on June 10.
– The idea is that here you can get to places that cannot be reached with a road bike. You can drive on roads where there is no traffic jam and it is of course safer. A gravel bike is also a very versatile tool that can be used on trails and roads, says Bottas.
Bottas’ main job is of course Formula 1, but pedaling on gravel roads is a nice change.
– It’s a good workout for me and it’s especially good for the head when you get to pedal in beautiful natural landscapes. What’s nicer than that!
Sweet world-class routes
Bottas and Cromwell have gotten to know the racetracks before.
– We already drove them last summer and again yesterday, even though there was still a little snow in the shady places. The routes are sweet, world-class routes, praises Bottas.
The couple competes on different routes. Bottas drives a 77 km route and Cromwell 177 km.
– It’s probably better that we don’t compete among ourselves, but we still drive in the same team. Tiffany really drives the main distance of the race and goes in pursuit of victory.
800 competitors have already registered for the competition, of which 40 percent come from the USA and the majority from Finland and Britain. The best of the sport are participating in the Lahti competition. The competition is planned to be an annual event in Lahti.
Bottas is also a Pelicans fan, after all, he is one of the team’s owners. The Lahti ice hall will see a formula supporter on Tuesday, when the Pelicans meet Tappara for the fourth time.
– I go to watch the Pelicans’ games whenever possible and especially now that we are in the finals. I’m really looking forward to tonight’s match, there must be a great feeling in the hall, beamed Bottas before the match.