UAE Team Emirates has announced that it will form a women's team in 2022 and acquire the World Tour license of the Alè BTC Ljubljana team.

Cycling News reported Saturday that UAE Team Emirates will acquire the Alè BTC Ljubljana team, ensuring the addition of a women's WorldTour team to the men's team led by Tour de France winner Tadei Pogachar.

On Tuesday, the team confirmed the takeover and the UAE Team Emirates women's team will be officially launched for the start of next season.

"We are pleased to announce that we are supporting a global project launched in 2017 to create a women's team to compete on the world stage as part of the UAE's ambition to develop cycling," team manager Mauro Gianetti said in the announcement.

"Together with the Alè BTC Ljubljana team, we have found the right opportunity and availability we were looking for and are working with the UCI to prepare all the necessary documents for the completion of the World Tour licensing starting January 1, 2022.

"In the coming weeks we will have the final framework in place and ready to present the project.

The UAE Team Emirates women's team will use Colnago bikes in place of the Cipollini bikes used in 2021.

Alè BTC Ljubljana will consist of 12 riders in 2021, and most are expected to stay, despite the fact that some have already received offers from rival teams. Marta Bastianelli could become team leader, but there are other options, and Spain's Mavi Garcia is expected to stay. Marlen Reuser has already decided to move to SD Worx, while Sofia Bertizzolo will join the team, according to the Italian BiciPro website.

Pogachal's partner Urska Zigato could also join the team from Team BikeExchange after riding for Alé BTC Ljubljana in 2020.