Gutsy teen Caleb Ewan's Tour Down Under the ride of his life

CALEB Ewan rode most of the Tour Down Under in pain and bandages but still rates his first crack at a World Tour race as the ride of his life.

Tour Down Under - Caleb Ewan. PIC SARAH REED.

GUTSY teenager Caleb Ewan rode most of the Tour Down Under in pain and swathed in bandages but has still rated his first crack at a World Tour race as the ride of his life.

The six-race World Tour opener was a baptism of fire for the youngest rider in the peloton who experienced the highs and laws - along with the pain - of top level cycling.

Yesterday Ewan said the experience has only heightened his enthusiasm to start his professional apprenticeship with Australian team Orica GreenEDGE later this year.

"I can't wait. This has only made me hungrier than ever," Ewan said after survivng six stages and more than 800km of racing since last Tuesday.

"The crash knocked me round a bit but I have just learned so much this week. It's been amazing."

News_Image_File: Caleb Ewan of Australia.

The 19-year-old refused to consider retiring from the Tour despite sustaining nasty leg and arm abrasions in a crash last Thursday.

"There will be plenty of races in my future where I am just going to have to struggle through, that will be much harder, so it's good to learn how to deal with it," said Ewan, swathed in bandage after hitting the asphalt..

"I think it is really good I know what is ahead when I go pro at the end of the year."

Ewan is being touted as Australia's next sprint sensation with Australian team Orica GreenEDGE signing him to its roster from October this year.