Esteban Chaves’ mental strength after hardships

2018 was another character building year for Esteban Chaves. After winning a spectacular mountain stage on Mt Etna in the Giro d’Italia, the Colombian dramatically dropped out of contention for the overall race days later. It turned out the Giro would his his last race of the season. Chaves was later diagnosed with a number of viruses, including Mononucleosis (also known as Epstein-Barr or Glandular Fever), along with sinus and allergy reactions. Of course, Chaves is no stranger to overcoming hardships, having become one of the best climbers in the world after overcoming a near career ending crash in 2013. He took some time out ahead of the start of the Giro to write to develo.cc

develo: You’ve had to overcome many hardships in your life, last years’ illness is another. Has this made you stronger as a person? 

I believe it’s 100% true in life that the difficult times make a person stronger and make a person appreciate everything more. You look at life from a different perspective after tough times and I’m no the exception. 

Is it easy for you to get back up after being knocked down so many times?

It’s never easy to get back from any problem, it doesn’t matter how many times you do it. Every problem is always a different story and always a different feeling. But while going through hardships, it’s always important to keep thinking I can do this.

Who is the person that helps you the most during these difficult times?

It’s a really hard just to give you one name. I’m a really lucky guy as I have lots of people who look after me. My family, of course, my friends in Colombia and in Europe, doctors, psychologists, the kids at my foundations, all the words from the fans on the social media even the people who cheer me up from the cars when I was train in Colombia, it all helps a lot. 

As a high level athlete, what is it like to spend two months completely off the bike?

Not just 2 months, it was 3 months and that is hard. You have a lot of questions around you during this time. It is not easy to be on the sofa watching the races. 

How do you appreciate being healthy now and going into the Giro?

I can’t describe it with words, it’s a wonderful feeling. When I was a kid I was dreaming of being in the Giro or the Tour or the  Vuelta. I’m basically on the start line as a new person with a second chance so I’m feeling like a kid when opening a new Christmas gift. 

When you’re suffering in the Giro, will the suffering be a little “easier” because you just appreciate being back on the bike? 

I hope so hahahahaha, suffering always is suffering! But the point is to remember that this is what we dreamt of doing and remember why we enjoy it. 

What makes the Giro a special race? 

The passion of the people, the fans, the parcours, the temperature, the food, the love for the country for this race, everything around it is awesome. 

If you could say a few words to all Mitchelton-Scott fans today, what would you say to them? 

THANK YOU 

All photos Kristof Ramon unless otherwise stated.