Preston cycle star Hugh Carthy prepares for career-high in Madrid

Primoz Roglic stands to win the Vuelta a Espana for a second consecutive year, as Preston’s Hugh Carthy celebrates the highpoint of his career so far in Madrid today.
EF Pro Cycling’s Hugh Carthy crosses the finish line durining the 17th stage of the 2020 La Vuelta cycling tour of Spain (Getty Images)EF Pro Cycling’s Hugh Carthy crosses the finish line durining the 17th stage of the 2020 La Vuelta cycling tour of Spain (Getty Images)
EF Pro Cycling’s Hugh Carthy crosses the finish line durining the 17th stage of the 2020 La Vuelta cycling tour of Spain (Getty Images)

Richard Carapaz will take second place overall behind Roglic this afternoon, with Fulwood rider Carthy claiming third

Carthy’s podium finish is comfortably the best result of the 26-year-old Lancastrian’s career, and confirms his potential as a future Grand Tour winner.

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“I was trying to test Roglic and Carapaz, but in the end it was not enough,” he said.

“We gave our best, the whole team, for three weeks so no complaints.

“It was a team effort and without them I couldn’t have done the three weeks like this. I’m happy with the progression and proud of myself for showing my ability.”

Roglic was made to work for it on stage 17 yesterday as a late attack from second-placed Richard Carapaz halved his advantage and threatened to deliver heartbreak on the penultimate stage.

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Two months after Roglic’s dreams of Tour de France glory evaporated on the stage 20 time trial, he was in danger of seeing victory once again slip away at the final hurdle as Carapaz attacked on the Alto de La Covatilla.

The Ecuadorian, who started the day 45 seconds down in second place, pulled clear around five kilometres from the end of the 178km stage from Sequeros and opened up an advantage of 29 seconds at one point, but could get no closer as Roglic recovered before the line.

“It’s always good to have some exciting finishes and this was exciting, but I still had just enough left that I knew if I went at my own tempo it should be enough,” the Slovenian said.

“Sometimes at the end you just need to stay under control and do you thing. What can I say? I’m super happy and it’s a really nice way to finally finish the season.”

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Carthy had been the first of the main contenders to try an attack, and the EF Education First rider consolidated his place in third before Sunday’s processional run in to Madrid.

Jumbo-Visma’s Roglic leads by 24 seconds from Carapaz of the Ineos Grenadiers, with Carthy a further 23 seconds down in third place, almost two minutes clear of Irishman Dan Martin in fourth.

Frenchman David Gaudu took the stage win for Groupama-FDJ from the breakaway, but all eyes were a further three minutes down the mountain with this the last chance to make a move in the general classification.

Roglic lost his grip on the yellow jersey at the Tour two months ago when he conceded almost two minutes to Tadej Pogacar on the decisive time trial, and must have feared a repeat when Carapaz raced clear near the top of the steepest section of this climb.

But this time he had the resources to pace himself to the line, even as Carthy put in a late dig to consolidate his third place.