As the pro cycling world prepares for the 2023 season, TotalEnergies renews its confidence in Jean-René Bernaudeau’s team. This contract extension will allow Team TotalEnergies to set ambitious sporting objectives for next three seasons.
TotalEnergies and Pro Cycling: Shared Values
In reaffirming its commitment for the next three seasons, TotalEnergies intends to leverage this partnership to continue raising its brand awareness among the general public and highlight the values it shares with the Vendée-based team. Despite the name changes, the Company’s decision to partner with Jean-René Bernaudeau’s organization is guided by this same objective. “We’ve been a constantly evolving sponsor, going from Direct Energie to TotalDirect Energie to TotalEnergies,” jokes Martin Bertran, Vice President, Brand and Advertising at TotalEnergies S.E. “Today, TotalEnergies is more than ever in the midst of a deep transformation to get to net zero by 2050, together with society. What doesn’t change, however, is our enthusiasm for and confidence in Jean-René’s team. We share the same values of standing together, respect for each other, performance, safety and pioneer spirit. With the approval of TotalEnergies’ top management, we have decided to continue the adventure through 2025 to support this new pro cycling period. The entire Company is delighted and proud to see these champions sporting our colors! Go TotalEnergies!”
The Adventure Continues
The cyclists have chalked up 104 wins in seven seasons since TotalEnergies (perviously Direct Energie and Total Direct Energie) came on board. Those are impressive numbers for the Vendée-based team, which has cultivated its difference and ability to nurture talent, year after year. Who could forget Lilian Calmejane in the Vuelta and Tour de France; Jérôme Cousin, Jonathan Hivert, Niccolò Bonifazio and Mathieu Burgaudeau in the Paris-Nice; Peter Sagan in the Tour of Switzerland; or Alexis Vuillermoz and Valentin Ferron in the Critérium du Dauphiné? The team wants to taste victory again in a Grand Tour race and reach the top in a Monument race. TotalEnergies’ three-season commitment will be a source of stability as the team works towards those goals. Jean-René Bernaudeau, the team’s general manager, declared: “This commitment is great news for us. The partnership’s timing takes us to the next promotion/relegation period for the 2025 World Tour. We have an ambitious program with the guarantee of backing from a sponsor who has been with us for many years. It’s a real sign of confidence from TotalEnergies. The team turned in a good performance in 2022. We need to move up in the international peloton as of 2023, with fingers crossed that our best racers stay safe and healthy. With our two new recruits – Steff Cras and Jason Tesson – and our three young talents from Vendée-U, we can hope to get off to a good start for this first year of promotion to the World Tour.”
