'We’re a weird mix of but we form a team' - Hugh Carthy extends contract with EF Education-Nippo
The talented climber from Preston has extended his contract after some huge performances
Hugh Carthy has extended his contract with EF Education-Nippo by two years after he has put in several fantastic displays while riding for the squad.
Carthy agreed to sign the new two-year contract as he says he is very happy with riding at the team even though they're an unusual mix of riders on paper.
The 26-year-old really burst into peoples consciousness when he took a solo victory at the Tour de Suisse in 2019, riding alone for 98km over three huge mountain passes in the Swiss Alps.
On his new contract, Carthy said: "I chose to stay at EF simply because the team feels right. We’re a weird mix of riders but we form a team.
"When it feels right staying seems the only logical option. I’ve had some nice memories and made good friends here amongst riders and staff. I want to continue on this journey and play my part in the team’s great legacy."
>>> Peter Sagan thanks team for ‘continued support’ amid contract uncertainty
The so-called 'Lancashire Long-Shot', Carthy has developed into a very strong rider for the Grand Tours, proving that at the 2020 Vuelta a España.
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Carthy went on to take third overall and stand on the podium with winner Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) and second-place Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) in Madrid.
Carthy continued: "My favourite memory with the team must have been the Vuelta 2020, the team really knitted together those three weeks and was the best team performance I’ve witnessed here.
"I’ve been in Grand Tours before where you settle into survival mode and the whole thing drags, so a few years ago I said no more survival mode, take every day as it comes, enjoy every stage and then it passes a lot quicker.
"I’m looking forward to trying to lead the team to success and have fun doing it, not just focus on being good bike riders but good people, too."
Team boss Jonathan Vaughters signed Carthy from Spanish squad Caja Rural for the 2017 season. Carthy had spent two years at the team living in Spain. Before that, the lad from Preston started his career at British continental team, Rapha-Condor.
Vaughters said: "Over the past few seasons he has really blossomed as a climber and has become a leader in this team as well. We are excited to have Hugh Carthy be part of the future of this team.
"Hugh represents this team’s foundational values. He works hard, isn’t scared to punch above his weight and, most importantly, he stays true to himself. We knew his work ethic would pay off, and we’re just glad people are starting to notice."
Carthy's next race is set to be the Giro d'Italia where he will lead the team as they battle against some of the world's best Grand Tour riders such as Simon Yates (BikeExchange), Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) and Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious).
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Hi, I'm one of Cycling Weekly's content writers for the web team responsible for writing stories on racing, tech, updating evergreen pages as well as the weekly email newsletter. Proud Yorkshireman from the UK's answer to Flanders, Calderdale, go check out the cobbled climbs!
I started watching cycling back in 2010, before all the hype around London 2012 and Bradley Wiggins at the Tour de France. In fact, it was Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck's battle in the fog up the Tourmalet on stage 17 of the Tour de France.
It took me a few more years to get into the journalism side of things, but I had a good idea I wanted to get into cycling journalism by the end of year nine at school and started doing voluntary work soon after. This got me a chance to go to the London Six Days, Tour de Yorkshire and the Tour of Britain to name a few before eventually joining Eurosport's online team while I was at uni, where I studied journalism. Eurosport gave me the opportunity to work at the world championships in Harrogate back in the awful weather.
After various bar jobs, I managed to get my way into Cycling Weekly in late February of 2020 where I mostly write about racing and everything around that as it's what I specialise in but don't be surprised to see my name on other news stories.
When not writing stories for the site, I don't really switch off my cycling side as I watch every race that is televised as well as being a rider myself and a regular user of the game Pro Cycling Manager. Maybe too regular.
My bike is a well used Specialized Tarmac SL4 when out on my local roads back in West Yorkshire as well as in northern Hampshire with the hills and mountains being my preferred terrain.