The 22-year-old University of Otago student finished the highest-ranked New Zealander in the women's tour and is hopeful she can back that up with a good performance in Queenstown.
"I am certainly a lot more confident than I was at the start of the tour, but I don't want to be too confident," Trotman said.
"I can't discount anybody because there are some really good cyclists around.
"I am really enjoying my racing and my funding has been going really well, so I am looking forward to it."
Trotman, who competed in her first elite race in Taupo last year, said following next week's race she would compete a fortnight later in Christchurch and continue to race for New Zealand this year.
As a child, she was always riding her bike to school, and when she got her road bike "about two years ago" she started riding around Dunedin's hills.
"I really enjoyed seeing the scenery, and rode a bit more, did a few races and started to get quite competitive.
"The more I raced the more I wanted to get better."
Trotman rode in the Round the Lakes race in Taupo in 2010 and from there she decided she wanted to ride in elite races.
She was selected in the New Zealand team late last year.
"I always had in the back of my mind that riding for New Zealand would be pretty cool, but it's all happened a whole lot quicker than I expected. So that is awesome."
The former New Zealand representative gymnast said she "did not quite" have a plan for next year, but was interested in riding in Europe once she had "investigated the set-ups over there".
Trotman has completed a physical education degree and this year will complete a bachelor of science and nutrition degree.
She said her nutritional knowledge and the input of coach Nick Taylor had been a "huge help" as she pursued her cycling career.
Former Otago rider Carolyn Jenkins has mentored Trotman since she began competitive cycling and Trotman is "immensely grateful" for her contribution.
"She has been a huge positive influence and helps me with my goal-setting".
Trotman said she would like to stay in the sport as long as she could.
"As long as I keep doing it and enjoying it, I will stay riding."
