Esteban Chaves will kick off his 2017 season in Australia, putting his name down for the Tour Down Under, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Herald Sun Tour.
It will be the first time the Colombian has raced in Australia, and the first time he's begun a campaign as early as January.
Chaves was one of the star riders of the 2016 season – finishing second at the Giro d’Italia, third at the Vuelta a España, and winning Il Lombardia – and the powers that be at the Australian Orica-BikeExchange team will no doubt have been keen for him to make an appearance down under.
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“These races are super important for Orica-BikeExchange. We can only race in Australia for these three races each year so I am happy to be with them for this," said the 26-year-old in a statement from the team. “The boys are super motivated to race near their homes and I am a little bit Australian now so I am happy for this too."
Chaves has only been to Australia on one occasion – a training camp in late 2013 ahead of his debut season with the WorldTour outfit.
“Actually, I don’t have the best memories of last time I was in Australia," he added. "I didn’t speak English so couldn’t speak with anyone and also I was suffering a lot in the training. For sure this time will be a lot different.
Early start
Chaves’ early 2017 calendar
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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