FAST CLIMB SLIGHTLY SCARY FOR CHAVES

ESTEBAN Chaves has set his sights on a maiden Tour de France as Orica-Scott plots a three-pronged raid on the 2017 Grand Tours.

The Colombian climbing sensation’s 2016 campaign saw him take second in the Giro d’Italia and third in Vuelta a Espana.

British twins Simon and Adam Yates will form a two-man assault in the 100th Giro d’Italia, before all three unite for the Vuelta a Espana as OricaScott pursue a breakthrough Grand Tour victory. “It’s always been the dream from the very beginning and now it’s real,” Chaves said.

“It’s really exciting and also a little bit scary as well. But it’s a good feeling.

“Sometimes I can’t believe it. It’s my first time to get this opportunity and it’s the Tour de France — just to be on the start line is a victory in itself for me.”

Orica-Scott director Matt White said Chaves had “proven he’s ready”, but cautioned against wild expectations.

“I think it’s pretty unrealistic to expect anyone to win their first Tour de France, but physically, Esteban has proved he can ride the general classification at Grand Tours and he can handle stress,” White said.

“It will be an eye-opener in the first week, but he is not a nervous rider and will deal with the intensity of his first Tour de France better than most.”