Esteban Chavez has not had many opportunities to raise his hand in victory in recent seasons, but he started 2023 with a win that he will remember all year long.

The EF Education-Easy Post rider attacked in the final 8km and crossed the finish line in Bucaramanga at the 237km race finish.

"Wearing the national colors for a year is something I will never forget. Winning here in Bucaramanga was spectacular. I think today was the day that a lot of people shouted my name.

Chavez finished 32 seconds ahead of Daniel Martinez (Ineos Grenadiers) and Nairo Quintana, while EF Education-Easy Post teammate Diego Camargo, who supported Chavez, was ninth. The team was really great," Chavez said. It's a dream."

The win is his first since joining EF Education-EasyPost at the beginning of 2022 after eight seasons with Australia's GreenEdge, now known as Jayco-AlUla. 22 years old, he survived a complicated surgery during a race in Italy. He survived a horrific accident that required complicated surgery during a race in Italy and launched his career on the World Tour.

"There are so many people who have made this possible. Today, we have a very special person here. It's Dr. Sandoval. Without his help, none of this would have been possible. He saved my career," she said of the surgery she underwent after her 2013 crash.

Throughout his career, Chaves had his ups and downs, winning at Il Lombardia, reaching the overall podium at both the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España in 2016, and winning five stages in two Grand Tours between 2015 and 2019 He also won five stages in two Grand Tours between 2015 and 2019. However, after being diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus and chronic sinusitis in 2018, he had four relatively lean seasons through 2023 with only two wins.

When EF Education-EasyPost signed him for 2022, the team said that with his health issues resolved, Chaves felt he could turn that stability into wins. 2nd in the time trial at the 2022 Colombian Championships, 3rd in the road race Chaves, who got off to a slow start by finishing second in the time trial and third in the road race, and second in the Mont Ventoux-Denivelle Challenge in June, won the team's long-awaited championship in only his second year with the team.

EF Education-EasyPost CEO Jonathan Vaughters said in a Twitter post, "Even an old, cynical, grumpy, jaded guy like me can't help but feel a little choked up about this win."

Another early season win is a good sign for Chaves and his team, who have made it a priority to chase points to maintain their World Tour position beyond 2022. However, Chaves may be pleased to have achieved one major goal, which would be an ideal start to the 2023 campaign.

"Today is a day to enjoy, now we have to keep working and keep our feet on the ground. The season has just begun and we have to start from scratch."