Following a year compromised by injury, in 2018 Esteban Chaves is aiming to repeat the heights of his 2016 season that included two Grand Tour podiums and Il Lombardia victory. The 27-year-old Colombian though is well aware of the fragility of life as a cyclist, and in general, and it is taking his approach to May`s Giro d`Italia day by day. A similar approach and philosophy of `día por día` as compatriot Rigoberto Uran takes. Second overall at the Tour Down Under last year proved a false omen for Chaves as his debut in the Australian summer of racing preceded a lingering knee injury that would ultimately hinder his Tour de France debut. Victory then at the 2016 Herald Sun Tour is no assurance of a successful year ahead but the win was an important one regardless. The Giro d`Italia and the Vuelta a Espana are Chaves` two major general classification aims in 2018. In 2016, Chaves was second at the Giro and then placed third at the Vuelta.ADVERTISEMENT `For the team, not just me, it is really good. The start of the season with the national championship, the Tour Down Under, and the Herald Sun Tour,` Chaves told Cyclingnews of Mitchelton-Scott`s winning start Down Under. Prior to his 17-kilometre solo raid to Lake Mountain, named after an explorer rather than a body of water, to set up his overall Herald Sun Tour win, May was the earliest that Chaves had won a race. Asked then at the Herald Sun Tour if result or performance had greater importance, Chaves simply replied `both`. With his quality and characteristics well known, Chaves won`t be flying under the radar en route to Israel for the Grand Partenze. Although Chaves admits he feels `expectation always`, with Mitchelton-Scott `you never feel pressure` and previous experience will assist his bid for three-week success.
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