TL;DR
Get business pricing on garage and car supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
French IT company XEFI will become title sponsor of the team currently known as TotalEnergies, securing the Vendée-based ProTeam’s continuation next year after months of uncertainty. The agreement is believed to run for three years, but the report says only one rider remains under contract, and the team’s 2027 Tour de France participation would depend on receiving an invitation.
The French cycling team currently known as TotalEnergies will continue next year after IT company XEFI signed on as title sponsor, according to Cycling Weekly. The deal secures the future of the Vendée-based ProTeam, whose principal sponsor had said it would leave at the end of the season; the agreement is believed to cover three years.
The team, founded in 2000 by former professional rider Jean-René Bernaudeau, had been in uncertainty for months. TotalEnergies made clear before the Tour de France that it would end its relationship with the squad after this season. It is set to become the name-and-jersey sponsor of rival WorldTour team Netcompany-Ineos and further its partnership with Tour organiser ASO, Cycling Weekly reported.
The prolonged uncertainty coincided with a substantial loss of riders during the transfer period. Cycling Weekly reported that Anthony Turgis and Nicolas Breuillard are moving to XDS Astana, Jordan Jegat to Lidl-Trek, Pierre Thierry to Cofidis and Alexandre Delettre to Groupama-FDJ. The new sponsorship gives the team a path to continue, but the report says only one rider remains under contract.
Team manager Stéphane Heulot will remain in his role. Bernaudeau has also appointed former French professional Tony Gallopin as sporting director. Gallopin, a Tour de France stage winner who wore the yellow jersey in 2014, previously worked with Heulot at Lotto and is due to join the team in January.
Sponsor Deal Secures Team Continuity
The agreement removes the immediate threat that the team would have to stop operating after TotalEnergies’ departure. It gives management a financial and organisational basis to plan beyond the current season, while the reported three-year term would offer more stability than a one-season rescue. The exact length has not been confirmed by the source, which describes the agreement as believed to be three years.
For riders and staff, the sponsorship news comes after a difficult transfer period in which several riders have already committed to other teams. The team’s continued existence does not by itself resolve its sporting situation: rebuilding a roster, appointing riders and preparing for the next season remain ahead. Fans also should not read the deal as confirmation of a place in the Tour. Cycling Weekly says the team could line up at the 2027 Tour de France if invited.
Products Worth Considering
VIOFO A229 Plus Front and Rear Dash Cam with Dual 2K HDR
Autel MaxiCharger Level 2 80A Hardwired EV Charger
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Cordless 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench Kit (DCF900P1)
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
A Long Search After TotalEnergies
The team was founded in 2000 by Bernaudeau and is based in the Vendée region of western France. Its sponsor uncertainty had been public well before the Tour de France, leaving the organisation without a confirmed title backer during a period when riders were making decisions about their futures. TotalEnergies’ planned departure is part of a separate sponsorship move: the company is to support rival WorldTour team Netcompany-Ineos, as well as strengthen its relationship with ASO, according to Cycling Weekly.
Management changes are also part of the team’s next phase. Gallopin brings experience as a rider and as a sporting director at Lotto, where he worked with Heulot. His appointment follows the sponsorship agreement and is intended to help lead the sporting operation. The report says he will begin in January and accompanied TotalEnergies during this year’s Tour de France.
““The fact that Jean-René and Stéphane can now plan years ahead again, after a season finale disrupted by circumstances, is a great reward for their work.””
— Tony Gallopin, incoming sporting director
Roster and Tour Entry Still Open
The sponsorship deal secures the team’s continuation, but several operational details remain unclear. Cycling Weekly says the agreement is believed to be for three years; the source does not provide a confirmed contract length or financial terms. It also does not identify the rider reported to be the sole remaining contracted member, or give a complete account of staffing and recruitment plans.
The team’s participation in the 2027 Tour de France is not guaranteed. It would be able to start if invited, according to the report, but no invitation is confirmed in the supplied material. The scale and timing of roster rebuilding have not been disclosed.
Recruitment Begins Under XEFI
The immediate priorities are expected to include assembling the roster and preparing the sporting programme under the new sponsor. Gallopin is due to start in January, while Heulot remains team manager. The report provides no signing announcements beyond the staff appointment, so further rider and team details remain to come.
Further confirmation of the sponsorship’s duration, the team’s planned name and its squad for next season would clarify how the new arrangement will work in practice. Any participation in the 2027 Tour de France will depend on an invitation rather than the sponsorship deal alone.
Key Questions
Will the TotalEnergies team continue next year?
Yes. Cycling Weekly reports that the team will continue after XEFI joined as title sponsor.
How long is the XEFI sponsorship deal?
The deal is believed to be three years, according to Cycling Weekly. The supplied report does not confirm the contract length or financial terms.
Will the team race in the 2027 Tour de France?
The team could take part if invited. The report does not say that a Tour invitation has been granted.
Who is joining the team’s management?
Former French professional Tony Gallopin will become sporting director and is due to join in January. Stéphane Heulot remains team manager.
How many riders are under contract?
Cycling Weekly reports that only one rider remains under contract, but the supplied report does not identify that rider or detail the team’s recruitment plans.
Source: cyclingweekly.com
