TotalEnergies secure last minute sponsorship to survive into 2027

TotalEnergies team manager Jean-René Bernaudeau has saved his team once again, reportedly finding a new title sponsor just in time to respect the UCI 2027 licence registration deadline and so set-up another Tour de France wild card invitation for next season.

Bernaudeau had just a week to find a new title sponsor and complete the annual registration process but Ouest France and other French media have reported he has found a title sponsor that will help cover a vital part of the 10-12 million Euro budget.

After being known as Bonjour-Toupargel, Brioche La Boulangère, Bouygues Télécom, Europcar, DirectEnergies and TotalEnergies over the years, the French ProTeam will have a new name and new colours for 2027.

According to Ouest France, the new sponsor agreed to fund the team for three years, with a deal agreed on Thursday. Contracts will be finalised on Monday with an official announcement set for Tuesday in Paris. 

Bernaudeau and team manager Stéphane Heulot have been in a race against time to secure the team's future.

Last week Chinese bike brand Pardus confirmed it will be the team's bike sponsor, with L'Equipe reporting that Energy company Primeo Energie will also be a key sponsor after Bernaudeau redirected their sponsorship from the planned and now delayed women's team. A non-compete agreement with TotalEnergies put that deal at risk, forcing a series of renegotiations.

Tony Gallopin is the lead sports director and has been working on the team's roster for 2027. Mathis Le Berre, Jason Tesson, Thomas Gachignard, Joris Delbove are all expected to stay with the team after staying loyal in recent months, with five riders stepping up from the Vendée U development team.  Anthony Turgis, Sandy Dujardin, Émilien Jeannière, and Jordan Jegat have all secured contracts with other teams for 2027.

Seven or eight new signings are expected, with Gallopin taking advantage of the number of riders still on the market for 2027.  For confidentiality reasons, the new contracts will only be officially signed once the main sponsor is announced.

Maximilian Schachmann is a reported target after his contract with Soudal-Quick Step ended. The German didn't win a race in 2026 but could play a vital role in helping the French team score enough points in 2027 to stay in the top 30 of the UCI rankings and so be eligible for future Grand Tour wild card places.