Chaves to make Tour de France debut
Feb 22, 2017 - 7:12 AM Colombian cycling star Esteban Chaves will make his much-anticipated Tour de France debut in July, adding even more Australian interest to this year's race.The 27-year-old will lead the Australian Orica-Scott team in the July 1-23 event.
This looms as the biggest Tour de France for Australian cycling since Cadel Evans' historic 2011 win and his seventh place the following year.
Tasmanian Richie Porte will lead BMC and he also is a favourite after last year's fifth placing overall.
British three-time champion Chris Froome will return to defend his title and the top field is also expected to feature former winners Alberton Contador and Vincenzo Nibali.
The ever-smiling Chaves has become a cult figure among Australian cycling fans and his results last year show he can challenge for the overall podium.
He finished runner-up in the Giro d'Italia and third in the Vuelta a Espana - the best results so for Orica-Scott in the three-week Grand Tours - as well as becoming the first Colombian to win the Tour of Lombardy one-day classic.
"Sometimes, I can't believe this. It's beautiful and for me just to be part of the start line is one victory," Chaves said.
"When I was 12 or 13 years old, I was on the couch with my father watching the Tour de France and this was the first moment I dreamt of this, and now I will start."
After months of speculation, Orica-Scott have revealed their Grand Tour plans for the season.
Despite finishing fourth overall in last year's Tour and winning the young rider category, British rider Adam Yates will not return to the race this time.
Instead, he and twin brother Simon will contest the Giro and the Vuelta.
Orica-Scott will also experiment with Chaves riding in the Vuelta, giving them three riders with potential podium claims.
Last year's results mean they are now legitimate general classification contenders in the three Grand Tours, with Simon Yates also taking sixth behind Chaves at the Vuelta.
Orica-Scott director Matt White said Chaves deserved his Tour start and had shown he is ready.
The Colombian opened the year by finishing runner-up to Porte in January at Adelaide's Tour Down Under.
This will also be the first time that either Yates twin has ridden two Grand Tours in one season.
"People on the outside might think it's a bit strange that we are not sending a lad that finished fourth last year back to the Tour de France," White said.
"But it's simple, we want to give the guys a bigger foundation for the future because that's where their biggest potential lies."
Source: AAP
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