Esteban Chaves is a highly charismatic athlete revered for his qualities in and out of competition.
At 29 years of age, the Colombian has acquired an impressive international reputation that helped him secure a contract with Australia's Mitchelton-Scott team in 2013, a feat that he says enriched his life.
"They welcomed me warmly. Without knowing a single word of English and with a question mark hanging over my career [due to an accident] they decided to offer me a three-year contract. [They] gave me 100 per cent of their support and offered me everything I needed to get better and make it work," he tells SBS Spanish.
That accident at the 2013 Laigueglia Trophy race in Italy almost ended his professional career.
He fractured his collarbone and lost all movement in his right arm. As a result, he was out of competition for the rest of the season.
When all looked lost, the Australian team came calling.
"At the beginning, it was difficult because of the language barrier but even when I couldn’t speak a word of English they made me feel part of the team, part of the family and that is something very cool that I appreciated enormously," he says.
"In this respect, I think the Australians are very similar to the Colombians."
Chaves went on to win the Herald Sun Tour in 2018 on King Lake, Australia’s oldest stage race, capturing the hearts and minds of local fans and consolidating his international reputation.
"I think I have many home countries around the world; Colombia, Italy and Australia. I feel very comfortable in Australia. I have many friends and they treat me so well. Racing in Australia is fantastic, it's like racing at home because of how they relate to me, how they seem to love me. It’s an incredible country."
He returned to international success in 2016, by winning the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia and finished second overall.
In 2018, he won the sixth stage at the Giro and followed up by winning the 19th stage in 2019.
He attributes much of his success to his parents’ unconditional love and support.
"My dad and my mum have been fundamental in helping me develop my career as an athlete and as a person," he says.
"When things go well and everything runs according to plan it’s very easy for everyone to stay by your side, but when there are difficulties, injuries, accidents, that’s when you need the people who love you the most because they will not move from your side. My parents have been indispensable, always."
Chaves is an ambassador for the L'Etape Australia by Tour de France race which is set for November.
The cyclist from Bogotá insists that nothing is achievable entirely without a team.
"I’ll be there on the 28th of November for L" Etape Australia in Sydney. I love Australia and I’m looking forward to going," he says.
"But these opportunities have been possible thanks to my parents, thanks to their work and sacrifice. They stopped doing things in their lives that they valued, they put their dreams aside to make way for my dreams [and my brother's as well], and here I am now, fulfilling my dreams."
In his private life, Chaves runs a charity organisation for disadvantaged youths in Colombia that assists in providing them with mentors so they can realise "their dreams".
Chaves is an introspective athlete, quietly spoken, with strong principles and ideals in life.
"Dreams are important. Not only to help you become a professional cyclist but also to help you become an actor, a tennis player, a doctor… even if you want to go to the moon," he says.
"If you have a dream and it is very strong and you really want it, you will find the way through your work, your effort, it will lead you to the right people. It’s not easy, because the things that are worthwhile take a lot of hard work and you will find many difficulties along the way."
He says some keys to success include being a little stubborn, hard-headed and to keep going forward.
"Little by little the road opens up and your dreams are slowly fulfilled."
