A big one! Esteban Chaves retires from professional cycling

Colombian Esteban Chaves announced his retirement from professional cycling at the age of 35. He was on the podium in the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España.

A reference of a great generation, he got off his bicycle at the end of 2025. A great climber, He traveled his last kilometers with the EF team who honored him with an audiovisual piece in which he reviews his 16 years of career.

“Cycling has been an indispensable and fundamental part of my life and has shaped me into the person and character that I am.”said the man from Bogotá.

He started in 2009 with the local squad Colombia es Pasión – Café de Colombia. His move to Europe came five years later to Orica. There he obtained his greatest achievements in major competitions with his two podiums in 2016. He was second in the Giro d’Italia and third in the Vuelta a España. In those rounds he won five times. Three on the Italian routes and a couple in the Spanish ones.

“What I felt the first time I rode a bicycle I still feel,” he added.

Thanks, Chavito 💕

From Bogotá crits to grand tour podiums 🫶 A look back at some of our favorite photos from Esteban’s professional cycling career.

Esteban reflects on his career, and what’s next for him in our new Explore film on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/qLHEVYVnb8

— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) November 24, 2025

He arrived at the EF in 2022 with gregarious duties. He was appreciated for his support. He left everything on the slopes to help his companions. One of his greatest achievements was obtained at home. National road champion 2023 in Bucaramanga. With that white t-shirt with a tricolor stripe, he competed all over the world.

In total he participated in 16 grand tours and won editions of the Giro de Emilia, Giro de Lombardia, and Tour of Abu Dhabi.