Hugh Carthy discussion thread

[Mayomaniac]

I'll look out for Hugh in the Vuelta, but he's not a rider that's going to enjoy having his arms in the air much during his career.
He's one -paced and lacks the finishing kick on a climb like Roglic, for instance to shoot clear of the select group.
He is a diesel and is more suited to the long hard grind, which we saw when he won at the top of the mighty Angliru last year in a slow-motion crawl to the crest.
There are not going to be too many Angliru's for Carthy to take advantage of going forward when he can take the opportunity to put in a snail-paced attack at a 15% gradient.

I guess it also has to do with his climbing style, he always seems to grind a huge gear while standing on the pedals.

 

[Anderis]

What are his plans this year regarding grand tours? PCS doesn't have him on either Giro or TdF starlists.

 

[Potomac]

Who Carthy?
Where Carthy?

 

[Pinot's goat]

What are his plans this year regarding grand tours? PCS doesn't have him on either Giro or TdF starlists.

Surely TdF since ITT km is high in Giro.

 

[triley36]

Surely TdF since ITT km is high in Giro.

With Carapaz’s crew, Powless and Cort all sure things, I doubt there is room (or need) for Carthy. I think his best chance to do anything in a GT is lose buckets of time early in the Vuelta and try to win a stage from a break.

 

[Anderis]

Surely TdF since ITT km is high in Giro.

How would that be a problem exactly? Carthy has finished ITTs in the top10 during GTs before.

I think his best chance to do anything in a GT is lose buckets of time early in the Vuelta and try to win a stage from a break.

That would be a pretty unambitious way to go with the season for a rider like him.

 

[triley36]

How would that be a problem exactly? Carthy has finished ITTs in the top10 during GTs before.


That would be a pretty unambitious way to go with the season for a rider like him.

I think you may value his capabilities more than I do. For what it’s worth, I hope you are right and I am wrong, but I do not think we will ever see him close to a GT podium again. Maybe top ten in a weak GT field, but I value a stage win more.

 

[Anderis]

I don't value breakaway stage wins all that much (probably the most overrated sporting achievement of all the sports I follow if you ask me, though it's not my opinion that decides how prestigeous they're) but surely a rider like Carthy would at least target a stage win during the Giro or Tour if he didn't want to ride for GC. Targetting stage wins in the Vuelta is a good season goal for a neo-pro but not a rider who's had a GT podium before. It could be a valid secondary goal after peaking for Giro/TdF, or if you want your main peak during the Vuelta, then it only makes sense if you go for the overall win. Otherwise it's a waste of a climber like Carthy.

Maybe top ten in a weak GT field

I don't really think Carthy needs a weak GT field to finish in the top10. He's even managed a top10 while clearly in sub-optimal form in the past (Giro 2022).

 

[Tim Cahill]

I don't know but he's looked in good form in the races I've seen him in (Early Spain races and Tirreno). He could've top 5ed that Tirreno if he rode more conservatively, was off the front quite a lot and just got a bit unlucky that it was always Roglic lurking. There are a few super difficult stages in the Giro I think he would thrive on (13, 16, 19). I would also bank on him getting a good result in that mountain TT right at the end, as he seems to peak in week 4 of GTs a bit like Steven Kruijswijk used to, although that flat 35km is a bit troublesome.

Looking at the GC startlist I can't really see 10 riders in GC better than him, even a top 5 would be possible I think but would likely require some luck with riders crashing out or getting sick, which always happens in the Giro anyway.

Tour of the Alps is his next race.

 

[Pinot's goat]

How would that be a problem exactly? Carthy has finished ITTs in the top10 during GTs before.


That would be a pretty unambitious way to go with the season for a rider like him.

One top 10 in 2020 (in the form of his life) and 11th in 2022 at 90 seconds down in less than 20km. He will lose huge amounts at the Giro.

 

[katkitten]

Nice result at Tour of the Alps GC (second overall), and 2nd to the 2020 Giro winner is great.

EF Education-EasyPost continue spring success at Tour of the Alps

Simon Carr wins final stage as Hugh Carthy takes second overall

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[Potomac]

A top 10 in the Giro seems a possibility this year.

 

[Netserk]

So does a top-5.

 

[Anderis]

Anyone knows what happened to him this year?
After 5 consecutive seasons in 400=600 PCS points range he suddenly drops to 48 and doesn't ride a single GT. Seems like sort of health struggles or something but I don't recall reading anything about that.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Anyone knows what happened to him this year?
After 5 consecutive seasons in 400=600 PCS points range he suddenly drops to 48 and doesn't ride a single GT. Seems like sort of health struggles or something but I don't recall reading anything about that.

Other than him, how is your CQ game selection coming along?

 

[Earns1985]

Other than him, how is your CQ game selection coming along?

Haha, I think he is not quite sure about picking him, otherwise he wouldn´t have asked..

But have to say, that the same occurs for me. Any news, why he had such a bad season or is it just his age?

 

[Anderis]

or is it just his age?

He just turned 30 this season, this certainly cannot be explained by his age.