Three years ago, Chaves stood on the second step of the final Giro d'Italia podium. Later that year, he went on to take third overall at the Vuelta a Espana and claimed victory in Il Lombardia, the end of season Monument.
Since then he's experienced poorer form, injury and after winning the Mt Etna stage at last year's Giro, the season ending Epstein-Barr virus.
But he never stopped believing. Nor did his family or his Mitchelton-Scott team.
The Colombian called his second place just two days ago 'beautiful.' While he used that word again for this victory, it paled in comparison to what he'd perhaps better capture in Spanish.
"I'm really happy, I can't describe with words especially in English...but it's unbelievable. You cry as well, everyone cry it's a beautiful day," he said to Eurosport's Ashley House who was also wiping away tears.
"It's a lot of work we put together. All my family, my team, my friends, everyone knows how hard I worked. I never give up and the climb of today showed that I attack many, many times until I can drop everyone.
"And this is life as well, you just need to attacking, attacking, and attacking until you arrive at the finish line because you never know how close you are (to dropping) everybody and arrive at the finish line."
"I have one beautiful family, I have one beautiful team, I have one beautiful friends and everyone support me and be on my side. And work together and this is one victory for anyone who support me and everyone who follow me."
Chaves manoeuvered himself into the 11-rider break which formed early, race leader Richard Carapaz's Movistar team allowing it to roam free several minutes up the road. Chaves attacked multiple times on the final climb, finally pulling clear around two kilometres to the line.
No real movement on the general classification other than MIguel Angel Lopez (Astana) improving his overall time - but not position - picking up 44 seconds on the final climb.
