Esteban Chaves
Nationality: Colombian
Date of birth: January 17, 1990
Height: 164cm
Weight: 54kg
Team: Orica-Scott
Twitter: @estecharu
Esteban Chaves wrote his name into the cycling history books in October 2016 by becoming the first non-European to win Il Lombardia, taking the biggest win of his young career in the process.
The diminutive Colombian has won the hearts of cycling fans the world over in recent years with his cheerful disposition and ear-to-ear smile which has been seen on the podiums of the Grand Tours over the past 18 months.
The 2015 Vuelta a España heralded Chaves's breakthrough as a Grand Tour contender as he wore the red jersey for six days in the first week. He finished fifth overall and took two stage wins in one of the most memorable Grand Tours in recent history.
In his next three-week race, the 2016 Giro d'Italia, Chaves recorded his first general classification podium, finishing second overall to Vincenzo Nibali, but lost the race lead on the final mountain stage to the Italian.
The 2016 Vuelta saw him record successive podium finishes, ending up third overall behind Nairo Quintana and Chris Froome. His form from the Spanish race held him in good stead for the end-of-season Italian Classics as he won the Giro dell'Emilia and Il Lombardia in quick succession.
Chaves, born in Colombia's capital Bogotá, first came to prominence as an amateur in 2011 when he won the prestigious youth race, the Tour de l'Avenir in France by 17 seconds.
He then turned professional with his native Colobia-Coldeportes team in 2012, competing in European races like Tirreno-Adriatico and Vuelta a Burgos.
Things took a downward turn for Chaves though in 2013, as he suffered near career-ending injuries in a crash in the Trofeo Laigueglia race in Italy.
Doctors in Colombia doubted whether he would ever race again, but eventually he was able to begin recuperation and the road back to racing after a nine-hour surgery to repair frayed nerves in his arm.
Chaves quickly moved up to cycling's top level after his return to racing, signing a two-year deal with Orica-GreenEdge in 2014.
He immediately made an impression too, winning difficult mountain stages at the Tour of California and the Tour de Suisse, before his remarkable 2015 which saw him win the Abu Dhabi Tour as well as his success in the Vuelta.
After that impressive year, Orica made their first full attempt at a Grand Tour general classification win with Chaves as leader at the 2016 Giro. He finished second.
Chaves has spoken publicly about his struggles returning back to racing following his ongoing struggle with Epstein-Barr virus. Several injuries and time spent recuperating hint at his return to his former level. 2019 saw him win a stage of the Giro d'Italia and also sign a contract extension with Mitchelton-Scott until 2021.
His team director Matt White has been quoted saying 'he can win at any race on the calendar' as long as his health is right.
Major results
2019
Giro d'Italia - Stage 19
2018
Giro d'Italia - Stage 6
Herald Sun Tour - Overall
2016
Giro d'Italia - second overall
Giro d'Italia - stage 14
Vuelta a Espana - third overall
2015
Vuelta a España - fifth overall
Vuelta a España - stages two and six
Abu Dhabi Tour - first overall
Abu Dhabi Tour - stage three
2014
Tour de Suisse - stage eight
Tour of California - stage six
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'I still really believe I can win the Tour de France': Esteban Chaves determined to make it to the top following illness and injury setbacks
The Colombian is rational about his recovery from illness but trusts his body to return to former glory
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
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Esteban Chaves seals Abu Dhabi Tour victory as Elia Viviani wins stage four
Elia Viviani beats Peter Sagan on the line on the Yas Marina circuit to secure his second win of the Abu Dhabi Tour
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Esteban Chaves targeting Giro d'Italia's pink jersey in 2016
Orica-GreenEdge's Esteban Chaves hopes to fight for the overall win at the Giro d'Italia after impressing at the 2015 Vuelta a España
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Nairo Quintana wins 2016 Vuelta a España; Nielsen takes final stage sprint
Nairo Quintana won his second career Grand Tour ahead of Chris Froome and Esteban Chaves at the Vuelta a España
By Richard Windsor Published
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Esteban Chaves: 'I had to keep my cool to win Lombardia'
Esteban Chaves played it cool to take his first ever Monument victory at Il Lombardia
By Gregor Brown Published
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Esteban Chaves back on his bike as Mitchelton-Scott explain sudden drop in form at Giro d'Italia
The Colombian suffered with glandular fever as well as allergies that have kept him off the bike since the Giro
By Richard Windsor Published
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Esteban Chaves takes stage eight of Tour de Suisse
Tony Martin hangs on to his overall lead in the Tour de Suisse with one stage remaining
By Stephen Puddicombe Published
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Esteban Chaves to kick off 2017 season with Australian races
Colombian Esteban Chaves wants to 'repay Australian fans' with appearance in Orica-BikeExchange team's home nation in January
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Esteban Chaves reclaims red jersey with Vuelta a España stage six victory
The Colombian attacked on the finishing climb to Sierra Cazorla to take second Vuelta stage victory and regain the overall lead
By Richard Windsor Published
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‘It’s beautiful to be back’ – Esteban Chaves makes return at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana after eight month absence
Esteban Chaves said “it is beautiful to be back racing” at the Volta a Valenciana after an eight month absence due to illness.
By Alex Ballinger Published
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Esteban Chaves wins 2016 Il Lombardia in breakaway sprint finish
Esteban Chaves took his first career Monument victory and became the first rider from his nation to win Il Lombardia
By Richard Windsor Published
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Yates brothers and Chaves carry Orica-GreenEdge's Lombardia hopes
Youth and experience combine as Orica-GreenEdge send strong team to the year's final Monument
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Esteban Chaves: 'No matter how hard things get you have to keep trying'
The Colombian took an emotional victory on stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia
By Gregor Brown Published
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'Esteban Chaves will beat Chris Froome' in 2017
Simon Gerrans says that Orica-Scott team-mate Esteban Chaves will get the better of Chris Froome during the 2017 season opening races in Australia
By Sophie Smith Published
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'I just didn't have the strength': Esteban Chaves turns full support to Yates after Giro time loss
Esteban Chaves will support team-mate and race leader Simon Yates after losing 25 minutes on stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia
By Gregor Brown Published
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Vincenzo Nibali wins Giro d’Italia stage 19 as Steven Kruijswijk loses pink jersey
The Dutchman lost his lead to Esteban Chaves after he crashed on the descent from the Colle Dell'Agnello, as Nibali put in an attacking display to take the stage
By Richard Windsor Published
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Watch: Emotional Esteban Chaves takes ‘beautiful’ second place at Giro d’Italia after long recovery from illness
Esteban Chaves may have missed out on victory during stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia, but second place still caused a surge of emotion for the smiling Colombian.
By Alex Ballinger Published
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Esteban Chaves's season ends after fracturing shoulder blade
Colombian Esteban Chaves will miss Il Lombardia after fracturing his shoulder blade in a crash at Giro dell’Emilia in Italy
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Esteban Chaves solos to victory on fourth stage of Volta a Catalunya 2021
Esteban Chaves came out on top on stage four of Volta a Catalunya 2021 after kicking on solo with around 7km to go holding off the group of overall favourites.
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
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Kruijswijk moves into Giro d’Italia pink as Chaves wins stage 14 and rivals lose time
Esteban Chaves wins stage 14 of the Giro d'Italia and Steven Kruijswijk moves into pink as Vincenzo Nibalia and Alejandro Valverde lose time
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Esteban Chaves renews contract with Mitchelton-Scott until 2021
The Colombian is looking to return to his best after his 2019 comeback season
By Jonny Long Published
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'Doctors said I couldn't race again; now I've won a stage of the Giro d'Italia'
Three years on from a potentially career-ending arm injury, Esteban Chaves wins a stage of the Giro d'Italia and moves to third in the general classification
By Gregor Brown Published
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Bad weather delivers blow to Nicolas Roche and Esteban Chaves Vuelta hopes
Chaves sat second and Roche third before the start of the stage but both lost significant time to Chris Froome on the Vuelta a España's biggest summit finish yet
By Gregor Brown Published
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Relentless Esteban Chaves takes summit finish victory on stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia 2019
The Colombian won from a breakaway after launching numerous attacks on the final climb
By Jonny Long Published
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Esteban Chaves earns extended contract with Orica-GreenEdge after Grand Tour breakthrough
Colombian has taken two stages and spent six days in the leader's red jersey at the Vuelta and now commits to three more season with Australian team Orica
By Richard Windsor Published
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Pro bike: Esteban Chaves’s Giro stage 19-winning Scott Addict RC
A look at the Colombian climber’s bike from the Giro d’Italia
By Paul Norman Published
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Esteban Chaves seals overall victory at Herald Sun Tour
Sam Crome (Bennelong SwissWellness) takes final stage victory in sprint from select group
By Richard Windsor Published
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Esteban Chaves: 'Chris Froome is an unbelievable rider'
Esteban Chaves hails Chris Froome's power after the Vuelta a España race leader stormed to victory on stage nine
By Gregor Brown Published
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Esteban Chaves will return to racing in February after eight month break due to illness
Esteban Chaves will rejoin the peloton in February at the Vuelta a Valencia in Spain.
By Alex Ballinger Published