Simon Yates emerged as one of the biggest revelations of the 2013 season when he won a world title on the track and two stages of the Tour de l'Avenir before winning the queen stage and finish 3rd overall in the Tour of Britain. Having signed a contract with Orica-GreenEDGE, the talented Brit is looking forward to getting his first real experience of the life as a professional bike rider.

British cycling finds itself at an all-time high. Having maintained its dominance on the track, the country has now also started to make a huge impact on the road scene. The 2012 and 2013 Tour de France champions are both Brits and the kingdom has the world's leading sprinter in its ranks.

To maintain that sort of success in the future, the country needs rising stars. When it comes to successors to riders like Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish, most eyes are focussed on the Yates brothers Simon and Adam who have had a breakthrough on the biggest scene in 2013.

Simon kicked things off in February when he became world champion in the points race at just 20 years of age. Having shown his promises in several UCI stage races in Europe throughout the year, he became a household name when he won two stages and finished 10th overall in the Tour de l'Avenir. His brother Adam even finished 2nd in the race that is seen as the premier proving ground for up-and-coming young riders.

What proved that Yates already has what it takes to be a professional was, however, his performance in the Tour of Britain. Competing against riders like Wiggins and Nairo Quintana, the young Brit won the race's first ever summit finish and finished 3rd overall in a race that was won by the 2012 Tour de France champion.

Most expected the Yates brothers to sign a contract with Sky but they made an unconventional choice. Instead, they decided to join Orica-GreenEDGE on a two-year contract, saying at the time that they preferred the greater freedom that the Australian team would allow.

With his professional debut fast approaching, Simon is raring to go but knows that he faces a steep learning curve.

"I can't wait," he told Sky Sports. "In the next couple of weeks we fly over to Australia for a team gathering and sort out the plans for next year. It is a really exciting time.

"I haven't really got any concrete ambitions or expectations that I am placing on myself. I think 2014 will just be a case of trying to find my place in the WorldTour peloton and try and work out what path I want to take and the rider I want to be.

"It is a big step up to a whole new level. Hopefully I can help the team achieve its goals and do my bit for the more established riders. They are seasoned professionals and I am looking forward to working with them and learning from them."

The decision to ride for Orica-GreenEDGE was a surprise to many but Simon revealed that the chance to ride alongside his brother was a major factor.

"One or two other teams showed interest but, with the option of me and my brother both signing together, it made the decision a lot easier," he said. "There were a few other factors, but that was the main one.

"I have only just started racing with Adam again after being apart for three years, so it is not a problem being separated, but I think we work better when we are together and it makes life a lot easier."

Being a world champion on the track, Simon could be tempted to go back to the boards to target a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. With his preferred disciplines not on the Olympic programme, the young Brit is, however, more focused on his road career.

"I would never say never," he said. "But I think with the way the events work on the track and with the Olympics looming, there aren't really any openings for myself on the track. I am more of a bunch racer and it is a real hard task to get in the team for the other events.

"It would be a tall order for me to get in the team, so for the next couple of years I will concentrate on the road and take it from there. Rio is still quite a long way away. I will wait to get these first couple of years at Orica-GreenEdge out of the way and then start re-setting my targets at that point."

The Yates brothers will be the first British riders to ride for Orica-GreenEDGE.