Cromwell and Bottas both go for gold at World Gravel Championship: "Want to preserve the true spirit of gravel"

The Australian has been running on the road for a long time, but she has been a big name in gravel racing for the past few years. Cromwell crossed the finish line as the winner at the European gravel championship not long ago. As a non-European, she could forget about the championship jersey: it went to runner-up Lorena Wiebes. But the 36-year-old rider from Canyon//SRAM Racing is possessed. So is her friend Bottas. The Finnish Formula One driver has become a true cycling fanatic since his relationship with Cromwell.

"Valtteri is devoted to gravel cycling," Cromwell told NOS. ''When I met him, he was even more into running, but now he is mostly on his bike. He even has his gravel race in Finland (FNLD GRVL). The organization is in the hands of very good people, but we try to help as much as possible. Indeed, after our careers, we might want to expand that." The Finn competes with the amateurs in the 19-34 year age group.

Since February 2020, the two have been in a relationship. As a top sports couple, they are often away from home, but Bottas tries to attend as many races as possible. "Whenever possible, he is at my races. And I at his races. But it's not easy to coordinate our schedules. We met in Monaco through mutual friends. It clicked right away. And it helped that he liked cycling anyway."

Cromwell is well prepared at the start of the World Gravel Championship in Leuven, where she sees opportunities to pull off something great. "It's not quite the same as last year's European Championships, but for the most part. It should suit me. On a good day, I have a chance." However, an excellent result is not the priority in gravel racing for Australians. "The races are important, but we want to preserve "the true spirit of gravel." They are like festivals, with live music, barbecues and beer, and it all doesn't have to be so serious."

The 2013 winner of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was also in Switzerland as part of the Australian selection. But which World Championship is more important to her? "That's not difficult. I was called up here at the last minute with the task of helping the team at the beginning. In Leuven, I'm going for that rainbow jersey. But that won't be easy with such a start list: Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes, Fem van Empel, you name it. Racing off-road is becoming more and more popular, even in the peloton. Good for the sport, unfortunate for me."