In an exciting fusion of motorsport and cycling, Formula One superstar Valtteri Bottas is teaming up with Adelaide’s professional cyclist Tiffany Cromwell to introduce RADL GRVL, a thrilling gravel cycling event that will be held during the Santos Tour Down Under in January.
RADL GRVL, part of the global GRVL cycling series, is co-founded and co-owned by Valtteri Bottas, Tiffany Cromwell, and Amy Charity, former professional American cyclist and CEO of the renowned SBT GRVL race.
Having already left their mark with races in the United States and Finland, RADL GRVL is the newest addition to this exhilarating series.
“I’ve enjoyed some very memorable gravel rides around Adelaide and McLaren Vale over the last few years, so when the opportunity arose to bring an event to the area I was fully committed,” said Bottas.
“Last June I had the chance to introduce the gravel cycling community to the riding around my hometown of Lahti, Finland at FNLD GRVL, and this year I’m excited that Tiffany gets to do the same around her backyard of South Australia.”
Set to run from Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 Januarary 2024, RADL GRVL will offer participants a unique blend of sealed and gravel roads across various picturesque regions in and around Adelaide.
The cycling festivities kick off with a shake-out ride on Thursday, departing from the Tour Village in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga. Friday will see the competitive action unfold in McLaren Vale, while Saturday will conclude with a recovery ride culminating in a watch party on Willunga Hill during the Santos Tour Down Under THINK! Road Safety Men’s Stage 5.
Adelaide, Tiffany Cromwell’s hometown, was chosen as the host city for the third international GRVL race, following the successes of SBT GRVL in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 2019, and FNLD GRVL in Lahti, Finland, in 2023, which took place in Valtteri Bottas’ native homeland.
“I’ve spent years racing professionally, and the unpaved roads around my hometown of Adelaide are the reason I fell in love with gravel cycling. I’m looking forward to bringing RADL GRVL to McLaren Vale at Santos Tour Down Under this January and showing riders from around Australia and beyond what makes the riding, scenery, and hospitality in South Australia so special,” Cromwell says.
Amy Charity said Adelaide has always been on the team’s radar as one of the premier cycling destinations in the world.
“When Tiffany joined the GRVL team as a co-owner she explained all the reasons why South Australia should be on our short list for gravel event destinations and I was immediately sold,” Charity said.
“The 2024 event will be a teaser and have limited places for participants, with GRVL looking to increase the event’s capacity in future years.”
More News
