IT'S the moment he's always dreamed of but Wagga cyclist Myles Stewart is determined not to put too much pressure on himself ahead of his racing debut for Nero Continental at this weekend's National Road Championships in Ballarat.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 20-year-old will tackle the 139km, 12 race under-23 road race on Saturday and the under-23 criterium on Friday, but his main focus will be on the former.
"It's my first race in the Nero kit and it's pretty exciting to ride in some new colours and with a different bunch of guys," Stewart said.
"I've done all the training, so now I've just got to perform really.
"I'm not too sure what my role will be yet, we'll wait see."
Stewart said the smoke infiltrating Wagga has forced him to alter his training schedule, and haze is predicted for Ballarat for the rest of the week as bushfires rage in Victoria.
"I've been doing a fair bit of indoor stuff to stay out of it, but it's been tough," Stewart said.
"The visibility may not be great down there and it's always a bit of a worry, but we'll see what the weather does from here.
"I hope to do well in both (criterium and road race) but the road race is the main focus this year.
"It's a hard race and especially doing 12 laps you have to wait and see how it plays out. We'll try and finish in the bunch and go for it in the sprint finish."
Fellow Wagga riders Zac Barnhill and Rebel Brooker will also compete in the road nationals. Barnhill will race in the under-19 road race while Brooker is targeting the criterium.
Meanwhile, the Tumut Cycle Classic scheduled for his Sunday has been cancelled following advice from the Rural Fire Servive.
Money raised from registrations and donations will be donated to the RFS, but anyone wants their registration refunded can email info@tumutclassic.com.au.
READ MORE
