TotalEnergies team general manager Stéphane Heulot confirmed after the opening stage of Paris-Nice that finding a replacement title sponsor for 2027 is now the team's primary focus. The French energy giant is scheduled to end its partnership with the Vendée-based squad at the end of the season, bringing to a close a relationship that began under the Direct Energie banner in 2016.
"I have never experienced a situation where someone told me it would be easy," Heulot said in an interview with Cyclism'Actu TV. "Obviously, each period has it's constraints and it is up to us to turn them into opportunities.
"Now we are working with this priority. We all know this. It isn't exactly a secret. But now we have some very good groundwork with connections that have already been made by Jean-René (Bernaudeau) for years and years.
"We sell what we have. We sell what we have done, our history. It is up to us to build the continuation of the story of this team which has a beautiful history." Heulot finished.
The non-renewal was first announced in September 2025. TotalEnergies vice president of communications Bertrand Blaise said at the time that the company's sponsorship strategy was "evolving," citing a direct partnership with the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes through 2028 as part of a pivot toward event-based marketing. "Our sponsorship strategy is evolving with our partnership with the Tour de France, allowing us to strengthen our network with the 12 million spectators on the Tour de France route," Blaise said.
TotalEnergies also entered a jersey partnership with Ineos Grenadiers in 2025, a further sign that the company preferred broad brand exposure over single-team ownership.
Heulot's comments represent the clearest public acknowledgement yet that the commercial search is now the dominant item on the team's agenda. Team founder Jean-René Bernaudeau has expressed confidence that a new partner will come forward, saying the squad's "uniqueness, values, education and training policy, and sporting development trajectory" would convince prospective backers.
Heulot insisted the team's sporting ambitions have not been shelved. TotalEnergies is targeting WorldTour stage wins during the remainder of 2026, with the development of young climber Mathis Le Berre (TotalEnergies) a specific priority. Le Berre started Paris-Nice well with a day in the break as he looks to try and take the mountains jersey for the team and some TV exposure.
The search coincides with the opening phase of the UCI's 2026–2028 ranking period, meaning results gathered now carry weight beyond immediate headlines. Strong performances could strengthen the team's hand in negotiations with potential sponsors.
The 2026 season is fully funded. What comes after depends on the next few months of conversations off the bike.
Cover image credit: Charly Lopez
