Adam Yates: "GreenEdge were the best choice"

Adam Yates is delighted to be moving up to the professional ranks alongside twin brother Simon in 2014 after confirmation that the 21 year-old siblings would join Australian team Orica-GreenEdge next season. 

The duo's move to Orica-GreenEdge follows speculation around the deal after Simon's stage win and third overall at the Tour of Britain.

Despite interest from a number of other teams, Adam Yates told Cycling Weekly that the Australian outfit offered him and Simon the best prospects for 2014.

"We worked it out together, we weighed up all the options and GreenEdge were the best choice," the Tour de l'Avenir runner up said.

"It was after Avenir that we started getting contacted. We had offers from FDJ and Lampre, and Sky wanted Simon, but GreenEdge is the best place to go."

World points champion Simon has been part of British Cycling's Olympic Academy Programme for the past three seasons while Adam has plied his trade for amateur teams in France, most recently this season at CC Etupes.

With the Academy's links to Sky and CC Etupes working closely with FDJ, the pair had earlier been linked with moves to those two WorldTour teams respectively. However the offer to turn pro together proved too good for the brothers from Bury to turn down. 

"We've been apart for a couple of years now and it's not really affected us, but it's always good to race with your brother," Adam added. "Hopefully we can team up again and take on some pros!"

Despite the announcement coming after the world championships U23 road race, where Simon finished 17th and Adam 19th, there were strong hints in Florence that the brothers might be headed to GreenEdge; Adam had been loaned two green and black Orica-GreenEdge branded Scott Foil bikes.

Related links

Road World Championships 2013: Coverage index

Matej Mohoric wins U23 world champs road race

Adam and Simon Yates looking ahead to WorldTour teams

Yates family affair at the Tour de l'Avenir