TotalEnergies will become XEFI in 2027 after the French professional cycling team confirmed a three-year title sponsorship agreement with the IT services group on Tuesday, 10 November. The deal runs until the end of 2029 and gives Jean-René Bernaudeau’s Vendée-based organisation a new name following months of uncertainty over its future.
The official announcement confirms that the team will compete simply as XEFI, rather than under a combined title. The new sponsor replaces TotalEnergies, whose backing ends after the 2026 season. No figure has been disclosed for the value of the agreement.
XEFI ends months of uncertainty over the team’s future
The announcement follows an anxious autumn for the French ProTeam. Bernaudeau and general manager Stéphane Heulot had been seeking fresh title sponsorship while trying to complete the financial and administrative requirements for 2027.
Last week, Ouest-France reported that a three-year agreement had been reached, but the company’s identity was still confidential. Today’s announcement confirms both XEFI’s involvement and the name that will appear on the team’s jersey next season.
The agreement is a major step towards maintaining the professional squad, although sponsorship alone does not constitute formal approval of a UCI ProTeam licence. SA Vendée Cyclisme was missing from the initial registration list published in October, and final registration remains a separate process. The team has started every men’s Tour de France since 2000, but its presence at the 2027 race has not been guaranteed by this announcement.
Who are XEFI and why have they entered professional cycling?
XEFI is a French group specialising in local IT services for small and medium-sized businesses, including computing, cybersecurity and related support. It operates through a network of local agencies and franchisees, which the announcement says have supported the cycling partnership collectively.
The company has previous involvement in the sport. It has backed Vélo Club de Villefranche-Beaujolais since 2018 and launched its XEFI Academy training initiative in 2020. The organisation has presented the agreement with Bernaudeau’s team as an extension of its emphasis on staff development and teamwork.
“Seeing XEFI on this team’s jersey will be a very emotional moment,” said XEFI founder and president Sacha Rosenthal, in remarks translated from French. He also pointed to the role of employees and franchisees in supporting the new project.
Bernaudeau retains the Vendée structure as the roster is rebuilt
Bernaudeau will continue as president of Vendée Cyclisme, with Heulot as general manager. The organisation’s development pathway, including the CREF youth programme and Vendée U – Primeo Energie, remains central to the plan. The professional squad has previously helped develop riders including Thomas Voeckler and Sylvain Chavanel.
“I am particularly happy to see XEFI partner with Vendée Cyclisme,” Bernaudeau said in the official statement, which highlighted the shared focus on developing younger people and retaining the organisation’s regional identity.
The sponsorship arrives after a difficult transfer period. Jordan Jegat is moving to Lidl-Trek, Anthony Turgis to XDS Astana and Mathieu Burgaudeau to Burgos Burpellet BH. Strengthening the remaining squad will be one of the immediate challenges for the new XEFI project.
The team has also confirmed changes behind the scenes, with former rider Tony Gallopin joining the sporting staff for 2027, while Chinese manufacturer Pardus will supply its bikes from next season. The sponsor announcement does not yet detail the completed rider roster or the size of XEFI’s budget.
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Photo Credit: Luc Claessen / Getty Images
