Esteban Chaves is now in Colombia, continuing his training and preparation for the next season---World Tour debut in Orica-Green Edge. The 2011 Tour de l'Avenir winner is working very hard, trying to recover from the serious crash suffered in February, in the Trofeo Laigueglia.

Talking on ESPN about the crash and the subsequent injury, the Colombian even feared his career might end before it really starts. He had a compound fracture in his right collarbone, fractures in his left petrous bone, right cheekbone and multiple other bones.

"The surgery was five months ago. In the first two months [after it], I could absolutely not ride a bike, because my arm was completely motionless." says Chaves. He gained back arm mobility and muscle strength gradually, through therapy and multiple procedures. "I took time in the gym, to strengthen parts such as back, chest and arm, and improve flexibility as well." The doctors expected the Colombian need 10-12 months to recover 80% of arm mobility, and even that wasn't exactly assured, because of the seriousness of the injury.

On the racing schedule next season, Chaves will likely target Vuelta a Espana as his main goal. The Orica Green-Edge DS comments "I think our team is very good at developing talent", with several great talent like Howson, Ewan and Yates brothers, "the team is focusing on the future."

"We should also bear in mind that Stephen had a fairly serious injury this year and has not raced since February." says the OGE DS. As a result, the team will gradually bring him to the World Tour scene. San Luis, Langkawi, Catalunya and Pais Vasco are likely his early season schedule.

"We want to see how returns after injury. His debut in a Grand Tour will be Vuelta because Giro would be too early after a year without racing. But definitely a goal for him is the Vuelta because surely ,though not knowing the route yet, there will be many mountain stages that will go well with Esteban." says the OGE DS.

Another Colombian climbing talent, Chaves was a product of the Colombia-Coldeportes system, breaking through in l'Avenir 2011, in which he won the GC. In 2012 he won a stage and finished 3rd Overall in Vuelta a Burgos. This year the aformentioned injury forced him to miss the whole season.