TotalEnergies to the rescue! Promising French climber sees pro career saved after Arkea collapse
Cycling
Mathis Le Berre’s professional career has been given a vital lifeline, with TotalEnergies stepping in to secure the French rider for the 2026 season following the collapse of Arkea’s WorldTour project.
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding Arkea’s future, the French structure has now formally shut its doors, leaving a large portion of its roster scrambling to secure new contracts late in the transfer window.
For Le Berre, who had spent his entire professional career with the team, the situation placed his future firmly in doubt until TotalEnergies confirmed his arrival on Friday.
The move ensures continuity for one of France’s quieter but steadily developing climbers, while also reinforcing TotalEnergies’ commitment to building a fully French roster centred around depth rather than marquee signings.
From long term Arkea project to sudden uncertainty
Le Berre had been part of Arkea’s setup since turning professional, progressing through the team’s development pathway before making his way into the WorldTour. That continuity was abruptly disrupted as Arkea’s long running financial struggles escalated into a full closure of the team, leaving riders in limbo with limited options available.
While several former team mates remain without clarity over their futures, Le Berre has now avoided being caught out by timing and market constraints. His switch to TotalEnergies allows him to remain at WorldTour level and continue his development without stepping down or taking a stop gap role elsewhere.
The signing is also notable given the timing, with most 2026 rosters already close to completion.
A fully French environment at TotalEnergies
At TotalEnergies, Le Berre joins an exclusively French line up, a factor that has become a defining part of the team’s identity in recent seasons. He will line up alongside riders such as Tour de France top ten finisher Jordan Jegat, former Tour stage winner Anthony Turgis, and established sprinter Jason Tesson.
The structure offers Le Berre a clear pathway into stage races and support roles in mountainous terrain, while also providing opportunities to target domestic one day races that align with his profile.
Le Berre made his Tour de France debut this summer, a significant milestone even if results were limited. His season largely passed without headline performances, with a fifth place at La Polynormande standing out as his most notable result.
However, within the context of a team operating under growing instability, expectations were necessarily tempered. The move to TotalEnergies now offers a reset, both in terms of environment and ambition, as Le Berre looks to convert steady progression into more visible results.
With his professional future secured, 2026 becomes less about survival and more about taking the next step forward.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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