The start of something big? INEOS Grenadiers has announced exciting sponsorship deal alongside signing of young talent

Both parties share a passion for cycling. It is no coincidence that INEOS has been the main sponsor of what was formerly Team Sky for many years, and TotalEnergies has even been sponsoring the well-known French cycling team, formerly known as Direct Energie, since 2019. However, the team has dropped in the UCI Team Ranking in recent years, which means that from 2026 onwards, it seems unlikely that it will receive an invitation to the biggest races. Does this also jeopardize its future?

TotalEnergies has now made its intentions clear with a deal with INEOS Grenadiers. CEO John Allert is naturally delighted with this. "We are proud to announce this new jersey partnership, which marks an important milestone in the close relationship between INEOS Grenadiers and TotalEnergies in elite cycling. It provides us with the opportunity to pursue our shared goals and ambitions at the highest level of the sport we love — competing at the top while developing the next generation of world-class riders."

TotalEnergies is also delighted with this new step. The French money is now being put to good use. “We are very happy to support the INEOS Grenadiers team through this jersey sponsorship, which reflects the broader industrial cooperation between INEOS and TotalEnergies on a global scale, in particular in Europe and Saudi Arabia,” said CEO Patrick Pouyanné. “This partnership also expresses our shared interest for the Tour de France and elite cycling.”

Read more below the photo.

INEOS Grenadiers took an essential step on Thursday, not only in terms of sponsorship but also in recruiting top talent. In addition to the partnership with TotalEnergies, the arrival of Benjamín Noval was also announced via the official channels. The Spaniard is only 16 years old and will, therefore, not make the switch from his current team, MMR Cycling Academy, to the WorldTour until 2027, when his junior career comes to an end.

Noval is described as “one of the most promising young riders in the sport, and his trajectory marks him as a future standout rider in the professional ranks.” He is the son of former professional Benjamin Noval and is a strong climber with tactical intelligence and a maturity beyond his years. INEOS believes it has secured a promising talent who will dominate the sport in the future. “This is a dream come true for me,” Noval himself says. “This is one of the best cycling teams in the world, and I’m very happy to join its ranks so they can help me develop my qualities to their full extent.”

He will make the switch in 2027, something that performance director Scott Drawer is already looking forward to. “Benjamín has all the hallmarks of a rider who can develop into something very special. He’s intelligent on the bike and driven off it, and he has already shown a real edge in competitive environments. We’re excited to support his transition to the WorldTour and look forward to helping him fulfil his potential within our performance system." CEO John Allert: "At the heart of our team is a belief in long-term development and investing in the next generation of talent. Benjamín represents that future."