The Tour of Guangxi marks the end of a transformative season for EF Education First's Hugh Carthy. The Briton's 2019 was marked by his first WorldTour victory at the Tour de Suisse (his first in three years, really) and a Grand Tour breakthrough at the Giro d'Italia, where he finished 11th overall.

In the latter Giro d'Italia, he was in the top five at the end of the race and went on the offensive in Mortirolo, steadily improving his position in the final week. In Switzerland, he won the final mountain stage, a 90-km solo victory.

"Overall it was pretty good. There were some big improvements. I'm happy with myself and the team," he told Cycling News after the fifth stage in Guilin.

"I've enjoyed the year and I think I've made a step forward. The team trusts me. I trust them and they trust me. It's a good relationship.

"And it's good to win races. So I'm really happy. It was just icing on the cake for the first half of the year. I was working hard to win. We were so close a couple of times.

But despite the improvement, Lancastrian did not have everything his own way in 2019. His second Grand Tour of the year, the Vuelta a España, ended abruptly on stage 6 when he was involved in a massive crash that left teammate Rigoberto Uran hospitalized for weeks with multiple injuries.

Kersee broke his left collarbone in this multiple crash, and the fracture forced him out of the race for a month. After almost deciding to end his season there, Kersey returned to racing in Italy and finished the year in China.

"I was hoping to have a good run in the Vuelta, but I was unlucky to crash. After the crash I initially said I didn't want to race again this year. I was content not to race here and spend a few days at home."

"But I talked to the team and they said I could come to Italy, race a few races there, and then come to China. But I talked to the team and they said I could come to Italy, do a few races there, and then come to China. I got a little sick before Lombardia, but I still came here and worked on my legs for next year."

As 2019 draws to a close, thoughts inevitably turn to the next campaign, or off-season first. Carthy is candid about what he will do during the winter months, "I'm not going to do it if I don't want to. If I don't want to do it, I won't do it."

But there are plans for 2020. Grand Tours will be on the menu, but where Carthy will take his next step in the world of three-week races is still up in the air. There is also the possibility of a climber-friendly Tokyo Olympics.

"I don't know yet. Next year's Olympics will be interesting. It will change a lot where the top riders go and the Grand Tours. Maybe some riders will go for the Giro, maybe some will prepare at home for the Olympics.

"To be honest, I'm not too worried. The team will do what is right for me and we will work well together to make it work for both of us."