Culture

To Colombia, love Esteban

The first film in our new Explore series, presented by Wahoo, delves into Esteban Chaves’s journey to become his country’s national champion

March 23, 2023

Esteban Chaves races with the strength of a nation.

Every time he pulls on his Colombian champion’s jersey, he is inspired to push harder, to live well and be disciplined and be kind and generous—to keep dreaming, because he wants to show his people that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to if they do that.

When Esteban stood on the top step of the podium after winning the Colombian championships this February, he fulfilled his boyhood dream. After a number of difficult years, beset by injury and doubt, Esteban re-found the form that had seen him fly to stage victories at the Giro and the Vuelta and a Monument win at Il Lombardia. He had faced up to his challenges with a smile and overcame them with perseverance and hard work, as he has always done.

Esteban's journey to cycling superstardom has never been easy. During his humble childhood in Colombia, Europe’s grand tours were very far away. His first great ambition was to become his country’s champion, and now, after thirteen seasons as a pro, a comeback from a life-threatening injury, and seventeen victories, he is.

Esteban will wear the Colombian tricolor in the world’s biggest bike races this year. It will be one of the great joys of his career.

“I’m Colombian. It’s my place. I’m really proud to say it and to be a Colombian, and to be like an ambassador because I’m wearing the jersey,” he says. “It’s special and it’s also one way to give back what the country gave to me.”

The first film in our new Explore series, presented by Wahoo, delves into what Esteban’s jersey means to him.

When Esteban races this year, his efforts will be dedicated to Colombia, with love.

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