An emotional Esteban Chaves (COL/Mitchelton-Scott) hugs his dad after finishing 2nd in stage 17.
Although we know him for his ever-charming smile, after being diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus in 2018 and being off the bike for most of that season, the return to the main stage of Chaves has also been a tough journey back to finding/being himself. With his parents & friends close-by at this race, Esteban was in for an emotional rollercoaster once he finished 2nd behind Nans Peters (who won the stage). Although the runner-up, it truly felt like a victory to those close to him.
As a nice 'adagio' to this feat, he would go on to win stage 19, 2 days later...

Stage 17: Commezzadura (Val di Sole) to Anterselva/Antholz (181km)
102nd Giro d'Italia 2019

©kramon