After 16 seasons in the international peloton, Esteban Chaves has announced his retirement from professional cycling at the age of 35. The Colombian puts an end to a career marked by success, constant effort and a personality that won the affection of fans around the world. He is one of the best cyclists in the history of the country.
Throughout his career, Chaves secured five stage victories in grand tours (3x at Vuelta and 2x at Giro), conquered the Il Lombardia, and stood on the final podium in both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España. He achieved all of this in 2016, the best year of his career. He was never able to win a stage of the Tour de France, despite having raced it four times.
A tireless competitor, he always stood out for his dedication, his combative character and, above all, for a smile that accompanied him even in the most difficult moments. He closes his career after 4 seasons with EF Education-EasyPost.
Chaves turned professional with Team Colombia in 2011 before he moved over to the structure of Orica GreenEDGE which changed name multiple times across the years.
A look into the future, on and off the bike
On the occasion of his farewell, the team has released the new documentary Still Dreaming, presented by Wahoo, in which Chaves reviews his sporting career and opens a window into the new stage he faces as a father, husband and human being full of hope.
The film shows his transition out of competition and the dreams he still has beyond professional cycling. In total, he achieved 17 victories, the first being in 2012, in the final stage of the Vuelta a Burgos, with the classic finish at the Lagunas de Neila, and the last in the road race of the Colombian national championships in 2023.
Esteban Chaves, Colombian cycling star of the 2010s