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TotalEnergies and Vendée Cyclisme Part Ways After 2026 Season: A New Chapter for French Cycling
In a significant shift for the professional cycling landscape, energy giant TotalEnergies and the French cycling team SA Vendée Cyclisme have announced the conclusion of their partnership, set to take effect after the 2026 season. This collaboration, which began in 2019, has seen the team proudly carry the energy company’s name, fostering a strong connection within the sport.
A Fond Farewell and a Forward Look
jean-René Bernaudeau, the esteemed leader of the Vendée team and a former professional cyclist himself, expressed gratitude for TotalEnergies’ support over the years. “We are grateful to TotalEnergies for their confidence during all these years spent together,” Bernaudeau stated in a recent press release. His focus, however, is already firmly set on the future. “for my part,I am of course already turned around 2027 and am determined to perpetuate our history,” he added,signaling a commitment to the team’s continued legacy.
Evolution of a sponsorship
the partnership’s roots trace back to 2019, following three accomplished seasons under the banner of Direct Energie, a company that was afterward integrated into the TotalEnergies group. This latest announcement comes after TotalEnergies had,in late June,extended its commitment for an additional season,indicating that discussions for 2027 would commence after the Tour de France.This phased approach suggests a strategic evolution rather than an abrupt departure.
A Legacy of Talent Development
Founded in 2000 by Bernaudeau, the Vendée-based team has built a formidable reputation for nurturing and developing exceptional French cycling talent. Its alumni include notable riders like Didier Rous and Thomas Voeckler, both of whom achieved double French national championship titles, underscoring the team’s role as a crucial incubator for cycling stars.
TotalEnergies Shifts Focus: partnering with the Tour de France
The decision to conclude the team sponsorship appears to be part of a broader strategic realignment for TotalEnergies. Bertrand Blaise, Director at TotalEnergies, highlighted this shift: “Our sponsorship strategy is evolving with our partnership with the Tour de France announced in June.” This move signifies a direct engagement with one of the most iconic events in global sports, aligning the brand with the pinnacle of professional cycling.
New Alliances and Global Connections
In conjunction with its Tour de France commitment, which spans from 2026 to 2028, TotalEnergies has also secured jersey sponsorship with the British team Ineos. This dual strategy is reportedly rooted in “strong industrial relations between Ineos and TotalEnergies on a global scale,” particularly concerning the Admiral petrochemical project in Saudi Arabia. This suggests a more integrated approach to sponsorship, leveraging existing business ties.
Addressing Speculation: Merger Rumors
Recent months have seen speculation among cycling observers regarding a potential rapprochement,or even a merger,between the TotalEnergies and Ineos teams. While this announcement clarifies the end of the TotalEnergies-Vendée Cyclisme partnership, it doesn’t entirely extinguish the possibility of future collaborations or strategic alliances within
