XEFI becomes the title sponsor of Vendée Cyclisme, Jean-René Bernaudeau’s professional cycling team
XEFI Group, a French specialist in local IT services for small and medium-sized businesses, will become the title sponsor of the professional cycling team founded by Jean-René Bernaudeau from the 2027 season, for a period of three years.
The Vendée-based team will compete under the name XEFI.
A historic team in French cycling
Based in Les Essarts-en-Bocage, Vendée, the team, chaired by Jean-René Bernaudeau and led by General Manager Stéphane Heulot, has competed in every Tour de France since 2000. Building on its development pathway and strong local roots, the team is now ready to begin a new chapter in its history.
Developing talent and supporting it all the way to the highest level
Founded in 2000 by Jean-René Bernaudeau and built around its rider development pathway, the team has helped launch the careers of riders who have left their mark on the peloton, including Thomas Voeckler and Sylvain Chavanel. At XEFI, similar career paths can be found, with employees progressing from apprenticeships to general management positions.
Training and development are another key value shared by both organisations. On the cycling side, a complete development pathway prepares the riders of tomorrow: a sports-study programme for cadet and junior riders (CREF), followed by a development team (Vendée U – Primeo Energie), which supports young talents on their journey towards professional cycling.
At XEFI, the group launched XEFI ACADEMY in 2020 to provide training in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and IT.
In both organisations, the same belief prevails: identifying talent early, providing hands-on training and giving people the opportunity to reach their full potential.
A partnership that builds on XEFI’s commitment to sport
Sport is deeply rooted in the group’s culture. More than half of its employees take part in the XEFI Santé-Sport programme. Since 2018, XEFI has supported Vélo Club de Villefranche-Beaujolais, a partnership that led to the opening of the XEFI agency in Villefranche-sur-Saône.
Just as XEFI agencies maintain close relationships with their local customers, the team is firmly rooted in its region and driven by a collective spirit. This partnership will give every agency across the network the opportunity to share the excitement of racing with its customers and employees.
A project supported by the entire network: XEFI franchisees have collectively chosen to join forces with the group to make this partnership possible.
Let the adventure begin!
SACHA ROSENTHAL – FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF XEFI
Seeing XEFI on this team’s jersey will be an incredibly emotional moment. I will think of our employees, our franchisees and everyone who helps this company grow every day. I know how much I owe them, and I will be proud to share this adventure with them. I left school at fifteen. I built my career through hard work, learning and moving forward alongside others. So giving someone an opportunity, supporting them and watching them succeed is something that means a great deal to me personally. It is one of the most rewarding things you can do when running a company. In what Jean-René stands for, I recognise that same belief. Sport plays a major role in my life. I love the effort, the discipline and the courage it takes to start again when things get difficult. And in cycling, there is something I find truly remarkable: a rider giving everything to help a teammate win. That commitment to the collective is something I want to bring to life at XEFI. When I commit to something, I give it my all. I want the riders, staff and everyone involved in this team to feel that they have people alongside them who truly believe in them. We will have ambitions, and we will stand by them through the difficult moments. I want the entire XEFI family, in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain and the French overseas territories, to share in the excitement of this team. I want us to look forward to the races, cheer on the riders and share their emotions. And above all, to enjoy coming together around an adventure that unites us.
JEAN-RENÉ BERNAUDEAU – FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF VENDÉE CYCLISME
I am particularly delighted to see XEFI join forces with Vendée Cyclisme, a company with which we share much more than ambition: a genuine vision of people and the future. Personal fulfilment, kindness, high standards, dedication to a job well done and training are at the heart of our shared values. At XEFI, just as in our organisation, we firmly believe that success begins with developing and supporting the women and men of tomorrow. Since the creation of CREF in 1991, followed by Vendée U – Primeo Energie, our ambition has remained unchanged: to give young people from our region the same opportunities that I was fortunate enough to have. To develop athletes, but above all, to help shape individuals. Selflessness, courage and solidarity are values we have always stood for. This partnership with XEFI allows us to uphold these values and take them to a new level through a medium-term project that we are all incredibly excited about. This project is not about blindly pushing forward, but about restoring meaning to elite sport while remaining true to our beliefs and our commitment to transparency. I would like to congratulate Stéphane Heulot on his outstanding work. I also want to warmly thank Sacha and his entire team, who have already welcomed us with such warmth and affection in Lyon. A wonderful adventure is beginning, of that you can be certain.
