The life cycle of most athletes follows a pattern similar to the familiar bell curve of declining performance as they approach the end of their careers. Occasionally, however, some athletes follow a different trajectory, closer to an exponential curve, by aligning retirement with the peak of their strength. It was the latter of the two that the Alley BTC Ljubljana life cycle ultimately resembled.

The last season was the most successful, with 20 wins, including a European Championship time trial gold medal for Marlen Reuser. Next season, the newly formed women's team UAE Team Emirates will take over the World Tour license of Array BTC Ljubljana, heralding a new era for the team, but most of the riders currently under contract with Array BTC Ljubljana The majority of the riders currently under contract with Alée BTC Ljubljana are expected to remain under the new UAE Team Emirates.

"In 2021, our project has reached its peak and what we have built over the years, both in terms of sport and image, has come to fruition," said team manager Fortunato Laccaniti.

"We started with a small team of only Italian players and took the big step of the World Tour. Now our team, with a budget that is a far cry from the top teams, has managed to get 4th (5th - editor's note) in the world ranking, behind the super teams and ahead of other teams that are much bigger and better structured than ours. This makes us proud and is a reward for the great work we have done."

Founded in 2011, the Italy-based team began as a UCI Women's team and stepped up to the WorldTour in 2020 with Slovenia's BTC Ljubljana as a co-sponsor. As a WorldTour team, Alere BTC Ljubljana has become international, with a core of Italian riders, but also adding riders such as Reusser, Eugenia Bujak, and Mavi Garcia.

Alessia Piccolo, president of Alebrand and the team, was instrumental in its formation. As a woman, a manager, and a cycling enthusiast, I have always believed in the potential of women's cycling."

"Over the years, we have grown and gained great satisfaction. And I think we have contributed greatly to the growth of the sport and to the image of this movement in Italy and around the world, and with this agreement with the UAE we can guarantee the continuity of a project that is very close to our hearts."

Piccolo confirmed that the Alley brand will continue at the top level of cycling, providing clothing for the men's and women's World Tour team BikeExchange through 2023.