The news was announced through the social media profiles of Ef Education easypost, Esteban Chaves is retiring from professional cycling. No statement, just a photo carousel and a documentary trailer that unleashes all emotions. The hummingbird from Bogotá thus says goodbye to the cycling he dedicated so much to, both as an athlete and, more importantly, as a person.

Born in 1990, Esteban Chaves entered professional cycling in 2011 with Colombia Coldeportes and quickly made a name for himself with his climbing skills and kindness. During his career, he achieved 17 victories, including two stages at the Vuelta, three at the Giro, a Lombardy, and a Giro dell'Emilia, plus a second place at the pink race in 2016. His 16 professional seasons were far from easy, with some accidents, often very serious like the one at Trofeo Laigueglia in 2013, which nearly ended his career, but he never lost his smile. "Becoming a professional cyclist is a dream I realized. I smile because I'm doing what I love, it's a privilege and it's beautiful. Why should I be sad and angry? I'm doing the most beautiful job in the world," he had told us in an interview, explaining how everything should be taken with a smile, even the most difficult moments, because one could always learn something. His last race was the Vuelta España, and it was during this stage race that he decided to retire.

In the moving documentary dedicated to Esteban by the Ef Education easypost team, titled "Welcome to life", the most intimate side of the Colombian rider is shown. From his home in Andorra and together with his family, the Hummingbird from Bogotá revisits some moments of his career, unable to hide his emotion. "I remember the first time I rode a bike, I felt like I was flying and felt free. I was in a small team in Bogotá, we often did criteriums, and every time after a race, my father was there to support me, telling me not to worry about others but to have fun. I always dreamed of becoming a professional cyclist, but I knew that for a Colombian boy like me, it would be impossible. I feel lucky to have succeeded, it was beautiful," Chaves recounts, accompanied by the smile that always distinguished him.

Beside his wife Camila, he explains how the decision to leave professional cycling after 16 years came not only from the awareness of having done so much but especially from wanting to spend more time with his daughter. "While racing the Vuelta, I was really happy because I remembered how much I love cycling, but also following all the precautions to prepare for a race at my best. Then one day on the bus, I received a photo of my daughter Lucia, I looked at it and told myself, 'Why am I missing all of this'. Cycling has been a fundamental part of my life, but now I want to be a dad 100%."

Now a new chapter begins for Esteban, a new journey where for the first time he doesn't have a predetermined path, but a completely new road to build with the people he loves. He's afraid, but can't wait to face it. "What am I without a bike?" he asks at the end of the touching video - "without a bike, I'm a son, a brother, a husband, and a father, I'm a human being trying to set an example, who dreams of living in peace and in contact with nature, I'm a boy who learns. I'm simply Esteban."