Caleb Ewan a Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic optimist

CALEB Ewan knows his best is good enough to go one better.

CALEB Ewan knows his best is good enough to go one better.

But the national champion knows how a vastly different preparation and an abundance of potential threats can shape his fortunes in the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic.

Second to GreenEDGE star Allan Davis by one point after claiming two stage victories in last year's criterium series, Ewan knows what he needs to win.

But a near-blank road racing schedule for nearly a month, compared with a busy 2012 buildup that included the Australian track national championships, has Ewan reserving his judgment.

"Last year I had a good run-in to the bay crits. I was racing every week and I had more time to peak for the track nationals," Ewan said.

"I've haven't raced in ... probably three weeks, so it's hard to gauge (form) just through training. If I'm feeling good, no doubt I'll go for the win again. But if I'm not doing so well, I'll use the stages for training because it's good, hard racing."

Victory in the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic would be the icing on the cake for the New South Welshman.

After starting the year with victories in stages two and four of the Bay Classic, Ewan was first in the time trial and second in the road race and criterium at the road national titles. He was also second in the individual pursuit and third in the Oceania track championships scratch race.

He said his Bikebug team was capable of big things in the three-stage Bay Classic.