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Julien Bernard fined for kissing wife, son during Tour de France

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•07/08/24•

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tour de france
(Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

A heartwarming moment during the Tour de France led to rider Julien Bernard receiving a fine from the International Cycling Union.

Bernard stopped to kiss his wife and child during the time-trial seventh stage of the Tour de France on Friday. The stage was being held in Bernard’s home region of Burgundy.

Several family members and friends came out to cheer him on, including his wife and kid. When Bernard spotted them, he stopped momentarily for a quick kiss. You can see the video below.

However, afterwards, he was fined $223 by the International Cycling Union, according to ESPN. UCI explained the fine in a statement, per multiple reports, saying that Bernard displayed “unseemly or inappropriate behaviour during the race and damage to the image of the sport.”

Bernard did apologize to the International Cycling Union, but he also made it clear that he did not regret his decision.

“I’m sorry UCI for damaging the image of the sport,” Bernard said on X, per ESPN. “But I’m willing to pay 200 Swiss francs every day and experience this moment again.”

According to ESPN, he also addressed the kiss and special moment during a TV interview discussing the Tour de France.

“It was really incredible. My wife has been organizing this with some friends for a few weeks now, and she did a really, really good job,” he said. “On a time trial, you have time to enjoy yourself. It’s these moments that keep me going and cycling.”

Julien Bernard is a French cyclist who rides for Lidl-Trek. According to his bio, “Julien is a strong climber and savvy rider who specializes in breakaways and providing reliable support for Lidl-Trek’s Grand Tour leaders. Julien claimed his first pro victory early in the 2020 season, winning from the breakaway on Stage 3 of the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var. In 2023, he finished 10th overall at the Tour de l’Ain, and won the mountains classification at the Tour de Romandie. Julien isn’t phased by anything.”

As for the Tour de France, it is an annual race held mostly in France. This year’s Tour de France is taking place from Saturday, June 29 through Sunday, July 21.

The Tour de France started in 1903 and has been held pretty much annually since.

Jonas Vingegaard, who is a Danish cyclist, has won the Tour de France each of the past two years. He captured last year’s race is impressive fashion, winning by a comfortable margin.