PARIS, June 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Total Energies announced on Thursday it will 
appear on Ineos Grenadiers' jersey at this year's Tour de France while 
remaining the title sponsor of its own French team.

The energy giant has been involved with the set-up based in western France 
for nine years and rumours about a full merger with Ineos had been 
circulating for a few weeks.

"As it has been since 2016, TotalEnergies will stand by Jean-Rene 
Bernaudeau's team, to whom we have already confirmed our support for the 2026 
season and our intent to engage discussions for 2027 after the Tour de 
France," Total Energies' chairman and chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said 
in a statement.

Total Energies also announced it would sponsor the Tour and the women's 
edition of the race on a three-year deal.

"Total Energies confirms that its agreements with these two cycling teams are 
strictly commercial and exclude any influence and/or interference in sporting 
matters and race strategies," it said.

"The Company is implementing internal rules to ensure this separation and the 
full independence of both teams.

"A principle the UCI will monitor in accordance with its regulation," it 
added.