Norris, 22, will soon don the bright red colours when Drapac Porsche competes in the Tour of Bright.

“I am excited about joining Drapac Porsche, and the year ahead,’’ Norris said.

A big year for the cycling ace included competing at the world mountain bike championships at Stromlo National Park near Canberra, as well as contesting MTB World Cup legs, and the Jayco Herald-Sun Tour.

For Norris the biggest highlight was 11th place in the under-23 race at his seventh world MTB championships.

“Being 11th was the best result I had achieved at world titles, and racing before such a big home crowd was a huge buzz.’’

Norris’ feats on the bike have earned two monthly wins in The Advertiser WIN Television Sports Star of the Year award, which is proudly sponsored by RegionalOne Credit Union.

There have been many highs, and a few lows, since Norris first raced with the Rocky Riders Mountain Bike Club in Castlemaine.

“The Drapac Porsche team is great in its support, not just on the road, but also my mountain biking pursuits,’’ Norris said of goals to contest a couple of the national MTB rounds, the Oceania championships, and hopefully, qualify for the world titles.

A science student at Melbourne University, Norris said the Drapac Porsche team ethos geared toward study and life after cycling appealed to him.