Revolution in the World Tour: Ineos could change its name and sign Evenepoel

The British team Ineos Grenadiers is reportedly on the verge of closing a multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with the French energy multinational TotalEnergies, in an operation that could mark a turning point in its sporting and economic strategy. According to The Times, the agreement would include a possible merger between both entities, which would increase the team's budget and open the door to high-profile signings, such as Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel.

Ineos Grenadiers and TotalEnergies, close to a million-dollar agreement that could transform the future of the cycling team

In March, we already had the first rumors about TotalEnergies' involvement, but the latest information suggests that the agreement could be officially announced on May 23, coinciding with the general meeting of shareholders of the French company. If finalized, TotalEnergies could become the main sponsor of the current Ineos Grenadiers and even have a prominent role in the team for this year's Tour de France.

Despite the optimism of some British media, other sources within cycling have tempered expectations of an immediate resolution, noting that TotalEnergies already sponsors a French ProTeam, owned by Jean-René Bernaudeau. This suggests that a full integration may not occur until 2026, coinciding with the renewal of WorldTour licenses.

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Meanwhile, rumors about a future addition of Evenepoel to Ineos Grenadiers have gained strength. The Belgian champion is under contract with Soudal-QuickStep until the end of 2026, but his future remains uncertain. There is even speculation that the British team could switch to using Specialized bikes as part of the package to attract the rider.

This situation arises in the midst of a general economic context in which Jim Ratcliffe, owner of Ineos, and now also majority shareholder of Manchester United, is trying to cut costs in an environment marked by European deindustrialization. Its debt could reach 12 billion euros this year, and credit rating agencies have downgraded its financial outlook to "negative."

With this merger, Ineos is once again seeking the necessary economic strength to compete with the giants of the peloton, such as UAE Team Emirates or Lidl-Trek. The team's director, John Allert, was clear on this: "We don't want to spend more money, but we do want to be a super team, and we know what that entails. That's why we are looking for partners to share that journey with us."