Orica-GreenEDGE close to signing talented British twins Simon and Adam Yates

AUSTRALIAN cycling team Orica-GreenEDGE is close to signing 21-year-old British identical twins Simon and Adam Yates from under the nose of Team Sky.

Double impact ... Simon Yates crossing the finish line. Picture: Tim Ireland.

AUSTRALIAN cycling team Orica-GreenEDGE is close to signing 21-year-old British identical twins Simon and Adam Yates from under the nose of Team Sky.

While a deal has not been finalised, an announcement on the future of two of the most promising under-23 riders in the world could be made within days of the world championships concluding in Italy tonight.

"I can confirm that we're definitely in discussions with them, we're one of a few teams and we're hoping to come to an agreement soon," Orica-GreenEDGE general manager Shayne Bannan told News Limited.

Simon is the current points race world champion on the track who won two stages of the Tour de l'Avenir - known as the race of the future - this year and upstaged seasoned professionals to win a stage of the Tour of Britain this month.

Adam was second overall at the Tour de l'Avenir where he and Simon went 1-2 on one stage.

They both finished inside the top 20 at this week's under-23 road race at the world titles in Italy, Simon (17th) and Adam (19th).

"If you look at the Tour de l'Avenir, Adam was second overall and Simon won two stages so that shows they've certainly got the ability," Bannan said.

"Past history of the Tour de l'Avenir says riders who do well there generally go on to become reasonably good WorldTour riders.

"They're both good hill climbers and that's one area (to focus on)."

Bannan said the team had not met with the riders during the world championships this week and all negotiations had been conducted through their British manager.

If they join the Aussie team it would be seen as a major coup to lure them away from British outfit Sky Procycling.

Earlier this month, 2012 Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins lamented his own team, Sky Procycling, missing out on signing the two emerging stars.

"He'll be a pro next year, not with Sky unfortunately - I don't know why," Wiggins said of Simon during the Tour of Britain, the Daily Mail reported.

Meanwhile rain is falling in Florence for tonight's 270km men's road race at the world championships. Fabian Cancellara, Peter Sagan, Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali are among the favourites to claim the rainbow jersey.

Australia's team is led by Cadel Evans and Richie Porte.