The 20-year-old headed to China in September for his first overseas racing experience on a multi-stage tour and hopes linking with Nero Continental can further his endeavours abroad.

Stewart sees it is an ideal way to further his cycling goals.

"I'll be doing a lot of racing overseas and if you get seen over there you can go to the next step after that - pro contentinal," Stewart said.

"But the main goal is just to get some good results this year year overseas and take it from there."

Eleven people are on the team, mostly Australians, but the line up also includes international riders from Japan and Hong Kong plus one member of the support team is Malaysian.

Stewart expects it will be a busy season.

"Continental means you race overseas and we go to China, Malaysia and do some tours in Australia as well," he said.

"It is going to be a big year and it's pretty exciting."

Stewart will remain based in Wagga next year but expects to have training sessions around the country with his teammates.

First on his agenda with the new team is tackling nationals.

Stewart will ride in both the under 23s criterium and road race in Ballarat next month.

His main focus will be on the road race and believes he's much better placed this time around, especially with his improved fitness coming into the event on January 10 and 11.

"The main goal is the road race, but I also want to go well in the crit," he said.

Stewart has been putting in plenty of miles in preparation.

After a big effort during to adapt to the humid conditions on the Tour Of Poyang Lake in China, the 20-year-old has been averaging around 20 hours on the bike each week, riding between 500 and 600 kilometres.

He's also had good success since returning from China.

In the past month Stewart finished seventh in a stage of the Tour of Bright and has also tasted success locally.

He claimed back-to-back Tolland club championships and also won the road race in the inaugural Riverina Road Cycling Championship.

"I haven't really done a lot of racing as this time of year it is pretty quiet," Stewart said.

"I've been training pretty hard and have another three weeks to really knuckle down. I'm just hoping for the best."

He also combined with younger sister Bronte Stewart to take out Wagga Cycling Club's madison event last week with Cameron Oke and Jack Boulton winning B grade.

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