Esteban Chaves

Jhoan Esteban Chaves Rubio, known to fans as Chavito, is a Colombian former professional road cyclist from Bogotá. Born on January 17, 1990, he retired in November 2025 after a 16-year career, his last team being UCI WorldTeam EF Education–EasyPost. Chaves is celebrated for his climbing talent, his ever-present smile, and his remarkable comebacks from serious injuries.

His palmarès includes a win at Il Lombardia in 2016, one of cycling's five Monuments, plus five Grand Tour stage victories and 12 professional wins overall. He stood on the podium at both the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España in 2016, becoming the first Colombian to achieve two Grand Tour podiums in a single season. Chaves remains one of the most beloved figures in the sport, admired for his optimism and fighting spirit. [edit]

Growing up in Bogotá, Chaves dreamed of becoming a professional cyclist from a young age. He started with the amateur Colombia es Pasión–Coldeportes squad before stepping up to its professional offshoot, Colombia–Coldeportes. His early career was marked by a serious crash on February 16, 2013, at the Trofeo Laigueglia in Italy, an injury that threatened to end his career before it truly began. He fought back, and in 2014 he made his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d'Italia, quickly winning fans with his cheerful demeanor and attacking style. [edit]

Chaves' breakthrough came in 2015 at the Giro d'Italia, where he won two stages, wore the pink jersey for three days, and finished fifth overall. That same year he took the overall title at the Tour of the Basque Country. In 2016 he reached new heights, finishing third at both the Giro and the Vuelta a España, the first Colombian to manage two Grand Tour podiums in one season. He capped the year by winning Il Lombardia, outsprinting Diego Rosa and Rigoberto Urán. A severe knee injury in 2017 threatened his career, but he returned to win a stage at the 2018 Vuelta and the Colombian national road title in 2019. He rode for GreenEDGE/Orica-GreenEDGE/Mitchelton-Scott for many years before finishing with EF Education–EasyPost. He announced his retirement in November 2025, citing a lack of offers for the following season. [edit]

Chaves is renowned for his perpetual smile and infectious positive attitude, making him one of the most universally beloved cyclists of his generation. Media portrayals consistently emphasize his never-give-up mentality, a quality that shone through after his 2013 crash and 2017 knee injury. His retirement documentary, Welcome to Life, produced by EF Education–EasyPost, and Scott Sports' Behind the Smile both center on his character and optimism. He was once called the wonder-kid of the Grand Tours, and his long association with Australian-registered teams earned him the nickname the Australian Colombian. [edit]

Esteban Chaves may not top global fame charts, but his devoted following is a reflection of his enduring appeal. As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Chaves but he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, whether that be the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This reflects a career that, while celebrated within the cycling world, has not translated into broader mainstream fame.

His fanbase, though not formally named, is deeply engaged. With over 353,000 Instagram followers, Chavito's supporters rally around his infectious smile and relentless spirit. They are part of the vibrant Colombian cycling community, known for turning Grand Tour mountain stages into roadside fiestas. While there are no documented fan-led campaigns or formal fan clubs, the connection is personal, Chaves has shared his journey, from injury comebacks to retirement, with remarkable openness.[edit]

Chavito, a diminutive of his surname, reflects his small stature and youthful look. He is famous for smiling even in the toughest race moments, a trait that endeared him to fans and peers. An avid surfer, he shared a masterclass on surfing backside in Pavones, Costa Rica, in 2024. His Instagram handle is @estebanchavesbta, with a bio referencing Team EF–EasyPost and the nickname funchaves, and he has over 353,000 followers.

One of the most retold stories from his career is the 2016 Giro d'Italia, where he finished second, coming heartbreakingly close to winning the overall title. That same year, he won Il Lombardia, one of cycling's five Monuments, cementing his status as a world-class rider. His career is often framed around the theme of "never give up," stemming from his remarkable comeback from a serious knee injury that derailed his career for years. His smile became legendary, even inspiring the Scott Sports documentary "Behind the Smile."[edit]

At his retirement announcement in November 2025, Chaves revealed that he and his partner were expecting a child, looking ahead to fatherhood as his next chapter. He has not publicly shared the name of his partner or details about his parents or siblings. He keeps his family life private, but he has spoken warmly about the support of his loved ones throughout his career. [edit]

Chaves was a teammate and rival of Rigoberto Urán, another Colombian climber, whom he outsprinted to win Il Lombardia in 2016. He also beat Italian rider Diego Rosa in that same race. His time with GreenEDGE/Orica-GreenEDGE, an Australian-registered team, was pivotal to his development, and he finished his career with EF Education–EasyPost. [edit]

Chaves has kept his romantic life largely out of the public eye. No long-term relationships, marriages, or divorces have been publicly documented. In November 2025, alongside his retirement announcement, he revealed that he and his partner were expecting a child, indicating he is in a committed relationship. As of 2026, he is reportedly in a relationship and preparing for fatherhood, though he has not disclosed his partner's name. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Esteban Chaves' net worth at $5 million. His income during his career came primarily from his contracts with UCI WorldTeams, which for established riders typically range from €200,000 to over €1 million per year. He also earned prize money from his race victories, including stage wins and podium finishes at Grand Tours, as well as bonuses from his team. Endorsements and personal sponsorship deals with brands like Scott Sports added to his earnings. With his retirement in late 2025, his primary income sources have shifted, but his past earnings and potential future ventures continue to support his financial standing.[edit]

Chaves' most significant win came in 2016 when he took Il Lombardia, one of cycling's five Monuments. He also won the overall classification at the 2015 Tour of the Basque Country and the Colombian national road race title in 2019. Across his Grand Tour career, he collected five stage victories, including two at the Giro d'Italia and one at the Vuelta a España. [edit]