Johan Esteban Chaves Rubio’s first professional win has finally come. One out of Colombian jewels Claudio Corti gathered this season under the new Colombia-Coldeportes project, winner of 2011 Tour de l’Avenir, clinched today the Vuelta a Burgos queen stage (Areniscas de los Pinares – Laguna de Neila, 155km) with an outstanding performance, overcoming his country-fellow, Sergio Henao (Team Sky).
Daniel Moreno (Team Katusha) took the Vuelta a Burgos GC by narrow margin: the Spaniard placed fourth on the finish line 22” adrift, but not to avail Henao’s upset. Chaves rounded off the overall podium as well.
Team Sky put in gutsy ride making their way with Rigoberto Uran to attempt an on-time attack with 4 km to go, followed by his team-mate Sergio Henao and Esteban Chaves.
Once he run out of energies. Uran left the way to Henao e Chaves with the Colombian duo proceeding in concert up to 1800 mt Lagunas de Neila top-hill where Henao was edged out by Chaves for the stage win but also disappointed by the stage outcome, with Moreno keeping the leading jersey within few seconds.
Besides Chaves’ amazing victory, Team Colombia-Coldeportes was on the spotlights throughout the race with further riders jumping into the breakaways: Robinson Chalapud jumped clear first, same as Jarlison Pantano and further four escapees did, with chasers coming to to seize control inside 5km to go.
“We told from the very beginning the queen stage was the day to stay focused on – Colombia-Coldeportes DS Valerio Tebaldi said – The whole team showed their capabilities, not just Chaves, tough we perfectly knew his talent and good shape to make an outstanding result as possible. Vuelta a Burgos was a very demanding stage and Esteban clinched a valuable win”.
“I’m extremely satisfied with this victory – Chaves commented after the race – and happy for myself, for my team-mates and the whole team. This win might lead us to an exciting 2011 campaign-second-half, we all rely on Colombia-Coldeportes strengthen! Wish to express all the gratitude to my colleagues, to our DS and to Claudio Corti, they all deserved this great result definitively”.
