Esteban Chaves: My career was almost over at age 22

Orica Scott brought the balloons and the traditional Australian Lamington cakes; the press obliged with their flash cameras, and Estaben Chaves arrived on cue with that infectious smile to toast in his 27th birthday. There may have been the air of a publicity stunt at the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide for the Tour Down Under, but few would doubt that when Chaves paused to thank his team and others who have supported his career that the sentiment was nothing but entirely heartfelt and genuine.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Daniel Benson

Daniel Benson was the Editor in Chief at Cyclingnews.com between 2008 and 2022. Based in the UK, he joined the Cyclingnews team in 2008 as the site's first UK-based Managing Editor. In that time, he reported on over a dozen editions of the Tour de France, several World Championships, the Tour Down Under, Spring Classics, and the London 2012 Olympic Games. With the help of the excellent editorial team, he ran the coverage on Cyclingnews and has interviewed leading figures in the sport including UCI Presidents and Tour de France winners.