Hugh Carthy has set his sights on Grand Tour glory after his surprise podium finish at the Vuelta a Espana.
The Lancastrian ended the race in third place as Tour de France runner-up Primoz Roglic bounced back from disappointment to take the race win.
Carthy had not been expected to mix it with the leading contenders at the front of the race but shone on the climbs, and has set his sights on going better in 2021.
“This is a really big change,” he said. “I want to keep fighting for good rankings in the future. I am very satisfied with how my Vuelta has gone. This is a turning point in my career.
“I don’t want to slow down now as there are still plenty of opportunities to come in the future. I can count on a great team, it is the perfect environment for a GC rider.”
Former Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins said it remained to be seen if Carthy could now make the jump from third to the top step of the podium in one of cycling’s big three races.
Wiggins said much would depend on EF Pro Cycling team chief Jonathan Vaughters, Wiggins’ former team boss when he was fourth at the Tour de France.
“He’s now a podium finisher in the Vuelta a Espana,” Wiggins told Eurosport. “I Hope Jonathan backs him.
“I don’t see Hugh as that real vocal leader but what he does have is that he leads by example and he’s got that confidence. He’s just a level-headed, confident bloke who believes in himself.
"He doesn’t put an act on. He just does all the talking with his legs.”
