Gran Fondo Esteban Chaves to be a race of life, not a bike race
People from all over the world can help the Esteban Chaves Foundation to multiply smiles by donating.
Colombian also confirms 2019 return to racing with Mitchelton-SCOTT in Spain in February
Colombian Esteban Chaves has revealed a surprising twist for his inaugural Gran Fondo Esteban Chaves, with participants signing up for a race of life, rather than a traditional race on the bike.
Launched last month with the promise people from all corners of the globe can be involved, the likes of Eddy Merckx, Purito Rodriguez, Mathew Hayman, Paolo Bettini, Mariana Pajón and Annemiek Van Vleuten and Colombian musicians and celebrities Julián Román, Vanessa De La Torre, Juan Pablo Raba, Pirry, Gusi, Andrés Parra, Claudia Moreno and Monica Jaramillo, are amongst those already on board the world-wide crowd funding campaign to help the likes of Kevin.
Chaves has teamed up with Dr. Julio Sandoval, the doctor responsible for saving his career after a traumatic racing incident in 2013, for the Gran Fondo Esteban Chaves, raising money for vital surgeries and eventually a brand-new children’s medical facility to offer the same life changing opportunities granted to him five years ago.
The details emerge as Colombia’s first and only Monument winner also confirms his return to racing is scheduled to be at the Vuelta a Valencia in Spain in February 2019 following what will be an eight-month hiatus due to Epstein Barr Virus.
Esteban Chaves:
“Bike racing has changed my life and now we have the opportunity to use it to change the lives of even more children.
“In 2013 I was incredibly lucky to come across Dr Sandoval after so many doctors told me my career was over, and now I want to give more smiles to more children, like the one Dr. Sandoval gave me.
“I met Kevin during my time off the bike this year and his spirit and passion for life has been truly inspirational for me these past months. We want to help him, and kids like him that don’t have the money, to improve their quality of life alone.
“It’s true our dreams are big, but together we can make them reality. Every contribution, big or small, will help so please join us in this dream.”
A race of life – Multiplying Smiles:
Led by the Fundación Esteban Chaves, in partnership with Fundación Cardioinfantil – one of the most important children’s medical care institutions in Colombia – the Gran Fondo Esteban Chaves aims to raise vital funds for children requiring orthopaedic intervention to play, write or even walk.
The goal: To assist as many disadvantaged children as possible.
The greater goal: To build a specialist medical facility to reach and assist even more disadvantaged children.
The Gran Fondo Challenge:
As per a stage race, the Gran Fondo Esteban Chaves will have multiple stages.
The opening stage will aim to raise COP $500.000.000 / US $180.000 with 100% of the funds raised going to the following:
COP $100.000.000 / US $32.000 for a life changing surgery for Kevin that hopes to allow the 8-year-old to walk
COP $100.000.000 / US $32.000 to assist four more children – Sara (4months), Juan Camilo (17years), Maria Paula (2months) and Dylan (1year).
COP $300.000.000 / US $96.000 for the initial phase of the creation of a new specialist medical facility (to eventually cost US $650,000)
Donations:
100% of donations will go directly to the Gran Fondo Esteban Chaves project in the stage identified above.
Donations over US $650 will receive a cycling jersey signed by Esteban Chaves.
To make a donation, visit https://vaki.co/vaki/granfondoestebanchaves
