British climber Hugh Carthy has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the U.S. WorldTour team EF Education First until at least the end of the 2021 season, the team announced. [He rode aggressively in the Giro d'Italia and rode to a solo stage win at the Tour de Suisse in June, moving to the front in almost every stage. However, he crashed at the Vuelta a España in August and broke his collarbone.

Kersee returned to racing at the Giro delle Miglia in October, and after riding in the fall Italian classics, including Il Lombardia, he ended his season at the recent Tour of the Wide West.

He told Cycling News at a Chinese stage race earlier this week that he has "taken a step forward" this year and that more Grand Tours and perhaps an Olympic hill road race will be on his radar in 2020.

"Winning my first World Tour race with the team is probably one of my outstanding moments," Kersee said in a Thursday EF Education First press release about his successful 2019 season. 'There were a lot of great moments leading up to that moment, with the team supporting me and trusting me.'

"Mentally, I didn't think much had changed. But after taking a break and coming home and seeing my family and friends, I started to feel it a little bit more," said Kersey, who hails from Lancashire, England.

"But when you go back to Europe, you kind of forget about it a little bit and it's like going back to square one. I just want to get back out there and race again," he said, demonstrating the no-nonsense approach to racing that has encouraged EF Education First team manager Jonathan Vaughters to appoint Kersey for the next two years.

"Hugh's stunning victory in the Tour de Suisse convinced us that he is a very special talent. He is an emotional and passionate racer." His 100km solo in Switzerland was reminiscent of the big mountain raids we used to see in the 1970s and 1980s. He is exactly the type of rider we are looking for in this team."

Head sport director Charlie Wegelius agreed that the team had something special in Carthy.

"Hugh has taken some important steps this year. He has proven to himself and to the world that not only can he be a presence at the highest level, but he can also win."

"He has proven that he can win.

"This gives him the reassurance that he is on the right track. He still has a long way to go before he knows where Hugh's ceiling is.