Formula One and gravel racing cross paths at the Tour Down Under's RADL GRVL

Events taking place alongside the Australian race include the inaugural RADL GRVL, co-founded by F1 / pro cycling power couple

Valtteri Bottas poses with Gianni Vermeesch at the 2023 European Gravel Champs
Valtteri Bottas poses with Gianni Vermeesch at the 2023 European Gravel Champs
(Image credit: Getty Images / Jasper Jacobs)

What do you get if you cross the Tour Down Under, off-road riding and Formula One? The answer is, apparently, RADL GRVL. As part of the festival of cycling that surrounds the WorldTour race, this year sees the inaugural Australian RADL GRVL event (pronounced Raddle Gravel), founded by cycling-mad F1 driver Valtteri Bottas and his pro-rider partner Tiffany Cromwell, who rides for Canyon-SRAM, as well as Cromwell's fellow pro Amy Charity.

The event take place over Thursday-Saturday Jan 18-20, with the main event being a choice of two competitive rides on the Friday, with a $10,000 AUD prize purse. About 200 riders are expected to compete, including Nathan Haas, Cromwell, Bottas, and Lidl-Trek's Brodie Chapman. Cromwell said she felt "under pressure" such was the strength of the field.

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