French Cyclocross Team Vendée Cyclisme Rebrands as XEFI Starting in 2027

The French professional cycling team founded by Jean-René Bernaudeau is entering a new era and will compete under the name XEFI starting with the 2027 season. The multiyear agreement secures a three-year title sponsorship with the XEFI Group, a French company specializing in local IT services for small and medium-sized enterprises. Headquartered in Les Essarts-en-Bocage in the Vendée region, the squad has participated in every edition of the Tour de France since 2000.

The team leadership confirmed the partnership alongside structural announcements for the upcoming racing calendar. Team president Jean-René Bernaudeau and general manager Stéphane Heulot welcomed the collaboration, emphasizing shared values regarding talent development, hard work, and support for emerging athletes. Sacha Rosenthal, founder and president of XEFI, expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership, highlighting the deep cultural connection between corporate teamwork and competitive cycling.

As part of the organizational growth leading into the new partnership, the team confirmed that former professional cyclist Tony Gallopin will join the sports management staff starting January 1. Gallopin, who served as an expert consultant during the recent Tour de France, expressed excitement about joining a historic French cycling team with a strong identity. General manager Stéphane Heulot noted that Gallopin's top-level racing experience and deep familiarity with the peloton will serve as major assets for the roster.

The partnership builds upon a shared philosophy of spotting talent early and providing practical training opportunities. The XEFI Group has a long history of supporting sports initiatives, including the Vélo Club de Villefranche-Beaujolais since 2018, and operates internal training academies focused on technology and professional development. Similarly, the Vendée-based cycling structure has maintained a robust developmental pathway for decades, helping launch the careers of notable riders such as Thomas Voeckler and Sylvain Chavanel.

Team leadership intends to use this stability to reinforce their competitive goals while remaining faithful to their core principles. Bernaudeau highlighted that the collaboration aims to restore meaningful purpose to elite sports through transparent commitments and long-term planning. The team and its new partner look forward to connecting local business affiliates and supporters with the excitement of professional bicycle racing across international events.