O'Shea will mark a second start in the Jayco Herald-Sun Tour when the prologue is raced on Wednesday evening at Melbourne's Southbank.

The 61st tour begins with an individual time trial on a winding 2.6km circuit.

"The prologue is something I will have a real good crack at," O'Shea said on Tuesday from his Adelaide base.

A highlight will be Friday's leg from Ballarat to Bendigo.

The 163km duel is the longest in the five-day classic.

"Racing into Bendigo will be great," said O'Shea.

"I have trained on those roads, but have never raced on them. It will be a great challenge.

"The hills in and around Daylesford will test every rider," O'Shea said of being among a 96-rider peloton.

"There are a lot undulating roads near Daylesford and then there's the climb at Mount Alexander."

O'Shea has achieved many victories in his hometown, including back-to-back Bendigo International Madison wins on the Tom Flood Sports Centre track.

He will be aiming to be among the leaders sprinting along Pall Mall to Friday's finish near Hotel Shamrock in Bendigo.

Among the world's best all-rounders, O'Shea is aiming for another world track titles campaign.

"Racing this tour was all part of the plan for 2014.

"It's the first time I have raced in the Herald-Sun Tour since 2009 when Bradley Wiggins (now a Tour de France champion) won the race," said O'Shea.

The 24-year-old will wear No. 2 as he joins forces with reigning Tour champion Calvin Watson in the KordaMentha Real Estate Team Australia colours.

"I have raced on the road with Cal Watson and Pat Shaw a few times," O'Shea said.

Also racing with O'Shea are Matthew Clarke, Chris Jory and Matthew Lloyd.

They will pit their skills against the likes of Bendigo's Jack Haig and Horsham's Mark O'Brien racing for Avanti,and Horsham's Sam Witmitz in the Budget Forklifts team.

A strong Drapac Pro Racing line-up includes Bendigo's Darren Lapthorne and Barkers Creek's Lachlan Norris.

Friday's stage to Bendigo is tipped to finish about 2.45pm.

A huge test for all riders will be Sunday's finale, which includes three climbs at Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula.

For O'Shea the hills will be in stark contrast to racing on Adelaide's Superdrome.

His latest track national campaign included gold in the teams pursuit and points score.

O'Shea's tally of gold from senior track nationals is closing in on 20.

The world omnium champion in 2012 and Olympic silver medallist in the teams pursuit, O'Shea is awaiting news on selection for this month's world titles in Colombia.

Teams pursuit and madison are just some of the disciplines he has starred at.