The UAE Team Emirates is close to seal a deal with Ale BTC Ljubljana and add a women’s World Tour squad to their successful men’s team for 2022.

The recent inaugural Paris-Roubaix Femmes boosted the profile of women’s cycling and the return of the women’s Tour de France in the summer of 2022 is expected to further develop the sport and increase the popularity and visibility of women’s cycling. 

In a new and modern era of inclusivity for the sport, the Emirati squad will emulate fellow World Tour teams Trek-Segafredo, Jumbo-Visma and Movistar in having a successful women’s team alongside their men’s team.

Regarding the possible entry of UAE Team Emirates into the world of women’s cycling, Team Principal Mauro Gianetti explains: “We are pleased to announce that we are working to create a female team to compete on the world stage as part of the UAE ambition to develop cycling, in support of a global project that started back in 2017.

“Together with the Ale BTC Ljubljana Team we have found the right opportunity and the availability we were looking for and, in collaboration with the UCI, we are preparing all the necessary documents for the completion of the acquisition of the World Tour license starting from Jan.1, 2022.

Media reports have also linked Pogacar’s partner Urska Zigart to a return to the team after riding for Ale BTC Ljubljana in 2020.