Australian cycling star Caleb Ewan goes into this month's two big domestic events brimming with confidence and with minimal pressure.
The 21-year-old sprint ace capped another domination of the Bay Classic series by winning the last round on Monday at Williamstown.
He now has 10 race wins in the Mitchelton criterium series and three overall titles, second only to Australian cycling legend Robbie McEwen.
In the past five years, Ewan has finished no worse than second overall at the Bay Classic.
Three years ago, he was the youngest men's winner in series history.
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Ewan replicated last year's series success by winning three of the four rounds.
It was an ideal start to the year for top Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE, with Orica-AIS rider Gracie Elvin winning the women's series for the first time.
Ewan and Elvin will now go to Ballarat for this week's national road championships.
Ewan will also be one of the sprinters to watch from January 17-24 at Adelaide's Tour Down Under.
"Obviously getting a few wins at the start of the season gives you a massive amount of confidence," Ewan said.
"I feel good, my form is coming up really well."
Ewan finished second to Heinrich Haussler in the road race and was also runner-up to Steele Von Hoff in the criterium at last year's nationals.
But Simon Gerrans will be the main rider for Orica-GreenEDGE at the nationals road race and the Tour Down Under as he aims to put last year's nightmare season behind him.
That means Ewan can concentrate on Wednesday's criterium at the nationals and be on standby as a secondary option for Orica-GreenEDGE on Sunday in the road race.
"It's always going to be tough - it depends on the weather as well," Ewan said of the road race.
"We have Gerro there and other good guys.
"There's not a whole lot of pressure on me there.
"I just do my thing and see if I can get around."
Unlike last year, Ewan will also have team support in the criterium.
Orica-GreenEDGE trio Jack Haig, Mitch Docker and Luke Durbridge, who gave Ewan such strong support during the Bay series, are on the start list for Wednesday's twilight race in Ballarat.
"The boys again, I always say it, they were so strong," Ewan said of his teammates on Monday.
"They rode the whole race on the front. They were so impressive."
Ewan won the series with 43 points, 13 clear of Drapac's Brenton Jones.
Elvin finished fifth in race four behind Orica-AIS teammate Lizzie Williams, who won with a solo break.
Elvin finished the series six points clear of Italian Valentina Scandolara.
