The former Carroll College student, who currently lives in Canberra, tackled three Olympic cross-country World Cup events at Quebec, Canada, Windham, USA and Val Di Sole, Italy.

He booked his tickets overseas after he finished in the top-three of Australia’s world ranking points table this season.

The 23-year-old finished 70^th, 72^nd and 89^th at the respective events in fields of just more than 100 of the world’s best cyclists.

While results did not fall Johnston’s way, he said it was an experience he did not regret.

“Generally World Cup and international racing is the best,” Johnston said.

“(Racing overseas) is always a good thing; you usually get woken up.”

Johnston won the Australian Cross Country Marathon Championship in May and scored a podium finish in the Australian Olympic distance cross-country series this year. 

He generally enjoys clear air in Australia as he is usually at the front of the field.

Johnston found the size of the fields at the international events posed new problems for the experienced young rider. 

“In Australia, I would not say it is easy, but I go overseas and fight for 60^th and 70^th position,” he said.

“It was good preparation for a similar trip next year with three or four World Cups where I hope to qualify for the Olympics.” 

He said he would like to improve his power and aggression for when he faces similar sized fields again. 

“At the start it’s a massive fight to get to the front,” he said.

“Me not being powerful and aggressive, I struggled a little bit but that is the biggest challenge of any international event.” 

Following the World Cup races, Johnston raced in the cross-country World Championships in Andorra.

He again finished towards the back of the field in 84^th. 

The race offered many of the same problems he faced at the World Cups, but he relished racing with the world’s top-100 riders. 

Before he trekked home, Johnston finished 13^th in the category one, “a level below World Cup”, cross-country race in Obertraun, Austria. 

“It was a really good race, the best one of the trip,” he said.

“It was a good weekend to get a reasonable result.”

He heads to Cairns in a fortnight for the Crocodile Trophy and said he was looking forward to the nine-day stage race so he could gain more ranking points for next year’s World Cup campaign. 

“The more points I get this year, the better start I have next year,” he said.

He also praised his supporters for their efforts. 

“Thanks to Trek Racing Australia and its associated sponsors for looking after us over there.”