Hugh Carthy returns to the Giro d'Italia in May looking to improve on his 11th place overall finish in 2019.The EF Education First rider had a breakthrough year last season when a consistent run at the Giro led to a sensational solo stage win at the Tour de Suisse one month later A month later, he made his breakthrough year with a sensational solo stage win at the Tour de Suisse.

The 25-year-old Kersee had considered competing in the 2020 Tour de France, but the talented climber chose the Giro instead, hoping to step up a bit before his career peaks. A top-10 overall finish is his first goal, but with EF Education First supporting this young rider, a top-5 finish is not out of the question.

"I want to try the Giro. I want to return. I want to put the lessons of last year into practice this time," Kersee told Cycling News at the team's training camp in December.

"I'm on the right path and physically I'm in good shape now. I've learned how to adjust my diet, etc., and I'm ready to focus on the race and give it my best. Overall, the Giro is a race that suits me. It's a good race for attacking, even in this day and age, and there are high mountains, so there are fewer breaks. I can be quite strategic and it's a race that suits my ambitions."

EF Education First has yet to announce its long list for the Giro d'Italia, but Kersee will make his season debut at the Tour de la Provence before racing in Catalunya. His last warm-up race before the Giro d'Italia will be the Tour de Romandie in April, but his ambition is to peak for his goal in May.

After gaining experience in Caja Rural and now Slipstream, this will be his first time truly focusing on overall contention in a Grand Tour.

"I'd love to be in the top 10. But you can crash in the first week and be a few minutes behind, then another rider crashes and all of a sudden you could be in the top five. With luck and good health, a top 10 is realistic," said Kersey.

"The Tour was an option, but at this stage I want to focus on the Giro. The team supports me and I am happy with my decision. We will work together over the next few months to come up with a plan that will put me in the best possible position for the Giro."

"As of now, I may win GC in this race. I don't know the exact team yet. But I will be one of the leaders."

Kersee re-signed with EF Education First in late 2019, signing a two-year contract extension.

Kersee would have attracted attention from rival teams, but made clear his intention to stay at home, which has helped him grow since stepping up from Pro Continental.

"I feel I'm doing well and so does the team. I don't want to waste years of my career readjusting to the team when I feel I'm doing well right now. I felt it was the right time to extend my contract and I'm happy to be here. I want to remain ambitious and continue to make positive adjustments."

Kersey remains determined and ambitious to fulfill his potential, but he is also educated enough to know that instant success is not always possible, although in 2018, during a stage at the Tour de Suisse, Kersey went on the attack late in a key mountain stage, Mikel Landa and the peloton behind him chased him down in the closing stages.

Twelve months later, Kersey has matured enough as a professional and as a person to be able to put episodes like the 2018 Tour de Suisse in context and use the experience to improve.

"Everyone grows and matures at different rates. In my case it was a little slower. Nowadays some players enter the scene at the age of 20 or 21, but for me it was never the case.

"The team knew this and allowed me to be patient. I felt like we were always taking steps forward, but there wasn't always a time and place for it to show. There was no stress, everyone was confident. I just had to be patient."