Esteban Chaves
Hometown
Bogotá, Colombia
Date of Birth
17 January 1990
Languages
Spanish, English, Italian
Nicknames
Chavito
Esteban came to cycling through duathlon as a young teenager. His dad registered him for the race and lent him a bike. For Esteban, it was love at first ride. He bought a bike shortly thereafter and hasn’t looked back. Today, the Colombian is one of the most respected climbers in the peloton. His racing victories include the Colombian road national championship, Il Lombardia, the Giro dell’Emilia, three Giro d’Italia stages, two Vuelta a España stages, and a stage at the 2021 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.
While his results are impressive, Esteban has overcome hardships in his career. As a 22-year-old, he had a crash that nearly ended his career before he even signed his first WorldTour contract. Then in 2018, he was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus and chronic sinusitis. Throughout it all, Esteban maintained his warrior spirit and his signature smile.
Riding is about more than racing and achieving results for the Colombian who has been a pro for over a decade. In 2016, he began FUN Chaves, an organization that uses bikes as tools to help children in Colombia realize their dreams. For him, his career as a professional cyclist is proof that dreams do come true and he hopes to inspire others to follow their passions.
Questions & Answers
If you had to cook dinner for the team, what would be on the menu?
Arepas and patacón con ahogao.
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after being away at a race?
Sleep. It is always a long trip.
What is your favorite climb? What makes it special?
Alto del Vino. It’s a climb I have ridden since the age of 14.
When a race gets tough, what do you tell yourself?
Keep going!
If you weren't a professional cyclist, what would you be? Why?
Probably something about the body like a doctor, physiotherapist, or nutritionist.
