2015 turned out to be a breakthrough year for Johan Esteban Chaves who is aiming for more in 2016 when he will target the Giro-Vuelta double.

Before heading to Europe, he spoke to revistamundociclistico.com  about the coming year.

"As always, I begin with high hopes and want to realize big dreams but also with my feet on the ground, knowing that every year I have to work harder. I'm leaving Colombia in perfect physical and mental condition, ready to continue to improve.

“I know that the expectations are big but I feel calm and as I said, I have my feet on the ground, knowing what lies ahead in a season with greater responsibility for my team Orica-GreenEDGE and myself. Yes, I am very motivated and although the early season is a bit stressful I must know how to handle it.”

Chaves has revealed that he will focus on the Giro and the Vuelta but his schedule is still known.

“We still have to define the details but let's concentrate on the Giro d'Italia as the main objective of these first months,” he said. “Then I would love to be part of the Colombian team for road race at the Olympic Games. For now, I'm on the shortlist and if I get selected I will prepare specifically for this important race.

“I have said that my biggest dream is to win the Tour de France. I will not ride it this year but will postpone my debut. The Giro becomes my ultimate goal in 2016 with my team Orica GreenEDGE and I will try to do it the best way. I already know it. I suffered a lot in my first participation and I will try to do better the second time. It would be good to repeat in the Giro what I did in the Vuelta last year.”

One of Chaves’ weaknesses is his time trialling and it is with the goal of improvement in that area that he is travelling to London.

“We will do work related to the time trials in the wind tunnel of Mercedes Benz where the Formula 1 team works,” he said. “We will seek to improve aerodynamics and bike position in addition to correcting and observing the details that can help me to improve in this discipline. After these tests, I will go to Spain and then to a training camp in South Africa which prevents me from being at the National Championships. I would have liked to be there and be part of the show for the Colombian fans.”

Chaves is part of a marvelous generation of Colombian riders.

“We have seen that we have capable riders like Nairo [Quintana], Rigoberto [Uran], Betancur, Arredondo, myself,” he said. “So I think Colombian cycling will lead in the big races. The arrival of new riders like Miguel Angel Lopez, Fernando Gaviria, Rodrigo Contreras, Jonathan Restrepo will strengthen the chances of having great performances and give many joys to our country.”

However, the country faced a big loss when Team Colombia folded for which Chaves rode in the past.

“I am particularly grateful to all the staff,” he said. “It was the team where I started my career as a professional and where they taught me how the true cycling was. I will also miss the presence of a good partner and friend like José Serpa (he will ride for a Colombian continental team, ed.).”