Esteban Chaves Discussion Thread

[Gigs_98]

Chaves isn't the sort of guy you want to unnecessarily give time though. We don't really know what happened to him these last few years but the guy still has two gt podiums to his name and has shown really strong climbing performances in every year since. It's just the consistency that was always missing but I don't think teams will want to gamble on that remaining an issue.

 

[yaco]

Was always a big chance to suffer in the crosswinds - He takes it easy in stage 8 and then he can have a go in stage 9.

 

[Escarabajo]

Was always a big chance to suffer in the crosswinds - He takes it easy in stage 8 and then he can have a go in stage 9.

He is in good position to help Yates. Actually will have some freedom which is even better for Adam.

 

[tobydawq]

Welcome back to the male version of Cecilie Uttrup

I didn't think he would ever come back to his best level. The best part is that he has been climbing excellently two days in a row which has been a big problem for him the past years.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

and a solo 7km attack with ineos train behind him makes it better

I love that Chaves is back. So deserved!

 

[SafeBet]

The way he sustained the effort once he got the gap was remarkable.
Welcome back Chavito!

 

[Poursuivant]

Fantastic win

 

[jaylew]

Still can't TT but he's been the strongest climber in the race bar Yates.

 

[Cookster15]

Chaves isn't the sort of guy you want to unnecessarily give time though. We don't really know what happened to him these last few years but the guy still has two gt podiums to his name and has shown really strong climbing performances in every year since. It's just the consistency that was always missing but I don't think teams will want to gamble on that remaining an issue.

Disagree. If Trek wanted to gamble on Richie Porte (which paid handsomely) then I don't see why teams wouldn't like to gamble on someone like Esteban Chaves. He was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus in 2018 I think that tells us everything we need to know of his inconsistent form. But to reach the level he is showing at Catalunya means he is obviously over that. No more risk to teams than any other rider.

 

[sir fly]

A stage and two jerseys, right?
Not bad, not bad at all.

 

[sir fly]

Top 10 doesn't tell the whole story.

Consistency is a good sign.

 

[SafeBet]

Him surviving an insane stage like today is even more surprising than the Catalunya stage win to me.

I guess he's truly back.

 

[yaco]

Chaves missed his opportunity on that descent - When he got dropped at the end of the second last climb he had to ride most of the valley by himself which tired him out for the last climb - Anyway he is riding the Ardennes - With the normal course at Amstel he could have gone deep in the final, though I doubt the special course suits him - Supposedly he will lead at Fleche and have no idea how he will go on that climb, while I don't fancy his chances at LBL - It will be interesting to see if and what grand tour he rides in 2021 - He is better suited to the climbs in France or Italy, though at this stage he is not riding the Giro and the route of the TDF gives few opportunities - Lets see what happens.

 

[Lequack]

Inspired ride, looked really spent at the end, but he did get to top 10 overall

 

[Escarabajo]

Bike Exchange say goodbye to Esteban Chaves:

https://www.revistamundociclistico.com/2021/el-team-bikeexchange-le-dice-adios-a-esteban-chaves-con-emotiva-despedida-tras-8-anos-juntos/

 

[sir fly]

Who's become a tt specialist, eh?

 

[yaco]

Talk EF will bring Chaves to the TDF as a stage hunter - The last two years at the TDF he got into one break in 42 stages - He finds it difficult in tour stages because of the flats at the beginning of mountain stages.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Talk EF will bring Chaves to the TDF as a stage hunter - The last two years at the TDF he got into one break in 42 stages - He finds it difficult in tour stages because of the flats at the beginning of mountain stages.

Yeah, that's the main problem with Tour stages for him and ASO isn't doing him any favours with their crappy stage design...

 

[movingtarget]

Considering where his career was before BEX picked him up , its a miracle he ever made two podiums. But since then he's proved to be an enigma with a career plagued by injury and illness unfortunately. In 2016 it looked like he had turned the corner permanently but it wasn't to be.

 

[sir fly]

They'll need to pick his battles carefully in order to materialize the shape he's showing.

 

[yaco]

It's pleasing that he is taking his ITT's seriously - He didn't do this in one week stage races in 2021, which resulted in a 4 to 6 becoming a 9 to 11 position.

 

[Escarabajo]

If EF was a team like Ineos or JV I'd understand why you would not take Chaves to the Tour. But not taking him now it would be just dumb. Seriously they have nothing to lose.

Additionally, when they picked him up from BikeExchange they were taking a risk on him. But the upside was great and they knew it. Similar to what they did with Uran. I thought that it was a great selection and good fit for the team. There is no reason to not take advantage of it.

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

If EF was a team like Ineos or JV I'd understand why you would not take Chaves to the Tour. But not taking now it would be just dumb. Seriously they have nothing to lose.

Additionally, when they picked him up from BikeExchange they were taking a risk on him. But the upside was great and they knew it. Similar to what they did with Uran. I thought that it was a great selection and good fit for the team. There is no reason to not take advantage of it.

Yes, but he also has to know that Vaughters has a mind of his own.

 

[BR2]

Hey, doesn't even his thread get revived if he becomes National Champion?

Congrats, Esteban!! I hope you get a nice jersey.

 

[Escarabajo]

The EF Education thread gets all the recognition!!