TotalEnergies could be the next sponsor of INEOS Grenadiers

It is no secret that Jim Ratcliffe has been looking for a co-sponsor for the INEOS Grenadiers that would allow him to put an end to the bleeding of money involved in maintaining a structure like that of the British team. A delicate situation that is compounded by the burden that the crisis of Manchester United represents for the billionaire owner of INEOS. The solution could be TotalEnergies with whom, apparently, discussions are very advanced.

INEOS seeks in TotalEnergies the solution to its economic problems

The last few years have been very problematic for INEOS Grenadiers. On the one hand, the rise of Visma-Lease a Bike and UAE Team Emirates-XRG. This has been added to the decline in sporting results while, however, INEOS has continued to have a super team budget. A situation that has deteriorated to the point of being practically unsustainable.

Jim Ratcliffe, owner of INEOS, had always been reluctant to incorporate another main sponsor, however, the delicate situation of the team means that he no longer sees it in such a bad light. According to numerous rumors, the team is in talks with the also oil and energy company TotalEnergies to become part of the team in 2026.

RECOMENDADO

New range of Specialized tires for road and gravel

We tested the new Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2025: the gravel bike that doesn't give up anything

New Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2025: ready for adventure gravel riding

Hiru puts on sale the special equipment that Ibon Zugasti will wear in the Cape Epic 2025 and surprises with its new Hydra Skinsuit

Van der Poel debuts a very special Canyon Aeroad

Can talent make up for consistency in cycling?

However, TotalEnergies already sponsors the French team of the same name in the Pro Tour category, so it is unknown what will happen to them if TotalEnergies finally renames the British team, as it does not seem feasible for the energy company to sponsor two teams. In fact, some rumors even point to a merger of both structures as was proposed just over a year ago between QuickStep and the then Jumbo-Visma.

In any case, the need for INEOS for a second sponsor is already urgent since Jim Ratcliffe has decided to cut off the funding and has set the limit of his contribution at 50 million euros of the budget for 2025. Furthermore, some circles even speculate that Ratcliffe is looking for support solid enough to completely abandon sponsorship, an aspect that was denied by John Allert, team CEO indicating that the team's future is secured at least until 2028.