Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas to Cape Town via social media on 22 April 2024. Bottas visited South Africa to participate in the Swartberg100 gravel cycling race in Prince Albert on Saturday, 27 April 2024 following a challenging performance at the Chinese Grand Prix.
At the Swartberg100, Bottas secured sixth place in his age group, the men’s 35-39, enabling him to qualify for the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships in Belgium. This achievement came after Bottas finished the demanding 170km race, which included a challenging climb over Swartberg Pass with gradients reaching up to 16%.
This qualifying event was part of the UCI Gravel World Series, a global series consisting of 26 races. Participants who finish in the top 25 percent of their category at these events automatically qualify for the world championships, scheduled for 5 – 6 October 2024 in Halle-Leuven, Belgium.
Bottas’s journey in cycling is notable, as he has transitioned from being a Formula One driver to also becoming a prominent figure in the cycling world. His partner, Tiffany Cromwell, who is a professional cyclist for Canyon-SRAM, also competed and won the women’s category at the Swartberg100. Bottas expressed his pride and joy in his achievement and Cromwell’s victory on his social media, highlighting the scenic beauty of the race course.
Additionally, Bottas is leveraging his cycling endeavours for charity; he plans to auction his race jersey to support the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. This move underscores his commitment to giving back through his sports activities.
Beyond his racing career, Bottas has been instrumental in promoting gravel cycling in his home country, Finland. He co-founded the FNLD GRVL in Lahti, which debuted in 2023 and has become a recognized event on the international gravel race calendar. His involvement in cycling extends to organizing events, demonstrating his deep engagement with the sport beyond just competing.
