Hugh Carthy
Hometown
Preston, UK
Date of birth
9 July 1994
Languages
English, Spanish
Nickname
Huge
Hugh has always been a strong and consistent climber, but it was his performance in the 2019 Tour de Suisse that stamped his presence after he rode solo for 98 kilometers over three leg-breaking mountains and claimed the stage win. Since then, he won his first grand tour stage at the Vuelta a España, on Alto de l’Angliru no less, and finished third on the overall podium. In 2022, he came second overall at the Tour de Langkawi and ninth on GC at the Giro.
He got his start on the bike as a seven-year-old when he used to ride with his dad. Five years later, Hugh stormed up Mont Ventoux, with his dad driving the family car behind him in support. Today Hugh’s favorite climb is Birdy Brow, a short but steep climb in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, England. Because he is able to dig so deep on the climbs, it’s only natural that he loves a good recovery ride. Sometimes, he trades his bike for his motorbike and goes off exploring.
Hugh speaks fluent Spanish after living in Spain for many years and now resides in Andorra. Despite so many years abroad, he’s still British through and through. He enjoys watching snooker and The Office (the British version, of course) and after his morning coffee, he drinks milky tea all day long.
Questions & Answers
If you had to cook dinner for the team, what would be on the menu?
Prawn cocktail.
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after being away at a race?
Play with my golden retriever.
When a race gets tough, what do you tell yourself?
It’ll be over soon and it will all be worth it.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
Northwest England – home.
Giro, Tour, or Vuelta? Why?
The Giro. Just is.
