As the UCI readies itself to implement a two-tiered team system in women`s pro cycling, Ale Cipollini announced on Thursday that they would request a top-level Women`s WorldTeam licence in 2020. If approved, they would become the only team in Italy to hold a licence at the highest level of the sport. `Now, ahead of celebrating our 10th year in the sport, I`m proud to announce that our project is continuing and that we`re going to request a UCI licence for the Women`s WorldTour 2020,` said the team`s president, Alessia Piccolo. `If the response is positive, we`ll be the first Italian team to be part of the UCI`s reform. We`ll represent Italy in cycling in the highest category, as there aren`t any teams in the men`s WorldTour from our country.`ADVERTISEMENT The team will celebrate its 10th anniversary next season, and is ranked among the top teams in the world. Under the current rules, the top 15 teams in the UCI world ranking are automatically invited to compete in events that are part of the Women`s WorldTour. Ale Cipollini was positioned in 13th place in the world ranking that was published in January. Title sponsors Alé Cycling, Cipollini and DMT announced their intent to become a Women`s WorldTeam for 2020. The team also recently added new sponsors in Windtex, Deine and Bardiani CSF. `I started this project nine years ago, investing and believing in women`s cycling at a time when it didn`t get much coverage,` Piccolo said. `There were very few brands supporting us, but I`ve seen the team grow year by year, and have dedicated my time and work to the ladies - not just in terms of increasing sponsorship, but also through management, logistics and communications.
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