Nicola Rutzou
BA caught up with cycling power couple Tiffany Cromwell and Valtteri Bottas this week. They are doing the rounds spruiking their gravel event, which is part of the Tour Down Under festival in Adelaide in January.
Called RADL GRVL, the second edition of the ride will expand in 2025 to include a two-day Expo in the Tour Down Under Village, a new 35 km Green Vineyard Course for beginners through McLaren Vale, and the more challenging 112 km Blue Adelaide Hills Course.
The couple enjoy gravel riding, which they share away from the core part of their demanding careers on the road and track. “I enjoy the constant change in the terrain in gravel riding that you don’t get when cycling on the road,” said Bottas.
“We chose Adelaide as a location because it’s my home town, and I’ve enjoyed exploring the gravel roads in the area. I was already familiar with the bitumen roads from many years of riding them, so it’s been fun,” said Cromwell.
“The date was chosen to be part of Adelaide’s annual cycling festival because so many cyclists will already be in Adelaide. While we will have pro riders participating, we anticipate they will represent about 10% of participants. We are very inclusive, so we aim to attract strong amateurs and weekend warriors,” added Cromwell.
While not confirming the timing of their respective retirements from F1 and professional cycling, they did agree that running their gravel events would be part of what they continue to do in the future with potential expansion of the series.
They also have a Finnish edition of the race called NLD GRVL, held in June since 2023 in Valtteri’s home town of Lahti, Finland. “My favourite place to ride is my home town, but I also enjoy exploring new places on my bike,” said Bottas.
