News: Carthy Re-Signs With His Team

Britain’s Hugh Carthy has re-signed with EF Education–NIPPO – “I chose to stay at EF simply because the team feels right,” says Carthy. “

News: Carthy Re-Signs With His Team

EF Education–NIPPO is proud to announce the re-signing of Hugh Carthy.

“I chose to stay at EF simply because the team feels right,” said Carthy. “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.”

Since he joined the team’s ranks, the young Brit has steadily progressed, highlighted by last season’s third-place overall at the Vuelta a España and stage win on the fabled Alto de L’Angliru.

His team boss says of Carthy, “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,” Vaughters said. “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.”

The 2019 campaign was Carthy’s breakout. After starting the year with a third-place finish on the general classification at the Tour Cycliste International du Haut Var, Carthy continued to impress with a standout performance at the Giro d’Italia, where he was regularly seen setting a rapid tempo at the front and finished 11th overall.

A man of few words, Hugh usually lets his legs do the talking. His first career victory was taken in style on the queen stage of the 2019 Tour de Suisse. Carthy rode 98 kilometres solo over three of Switzerland’s most iconic mountain passes on a blisteringly hot day before crossing the line more than a minute ahead of his closest competitors. If you hadn’t noticed him before then, he certainly made sure the cycling world knew his name that day. On the bike, he has a flair for the dramatic.

After a crash at the Vuelta a España later that year slightly dampened his otherwise stellar season, Carthy entered 2020 set on doing more of the same, which for him meant more expressive pain faces and gutsy attacks on some of cycling’s hardest climbs.

At his maiden Tour de France last year, the Brit showed he could be a trusted teammate no matter the situation. From setting the pace for Rigo on the climbs to launching the decisive break for Dani Martínez before his stage 13 win, he showed he was always there when it mattered.

But the Vuelta a España was his time to shine. After a strong start to the race where he showed he could ride with the best, Hugh went on to win a stage on the summit finish atop the infamous Alto de L’Angliru, a climb known for its leg-breaking length and steep gradients. He would wrap up a brilliant three week performance with a third place finish in the general classification, a clear sign that he could be in the mix over a three-week race.

“My favorite memory with the team must have been the Vuelta 2020,” saidCarthy. “The team really knitted together those three weeks and was the best team performance I’ve witnessed here.” Off the bike, Hugh has earned a reputation among his teammates for always being quick with a joke. He’s also known for always carrying a book around. Biographies of some of his favorite athletes – most of whom are snooker players, boxers or darts professionals.

An eternal rationalist, one doesn’t need to spend a lot of time with Hugh to get the sense that he doesn’t speak unless he has thought about what he was going to say thoroughly, balancing each side of the equation. On the topic of how hard three-week long races are for example, Carthy said: “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.”

Carthy, who has spent most of his pro career in Spain and Andorra, has impressed over the past few seasons with the team. He has quietly and consistently racked up big performances in cycling’s biggest races and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Hugh. “I’m looking forward to trying to lead the team to success and have fun doing it,” concluded Carthy. “Not just focus on being good bike riders but good people, too.”