A sweet moment between French cyclist Julien Bernard The International Cycling Union (UCI) deemed the behavior of the French cyclist and his family during the Tour de France on Friday to be “inappropriate behavior,” resulting in the Frenchman being fined.
The incident occurred during the seventh stage of the Tour de France on Friday, when Bernard's friends and family came out to support him as the race wound through his home region of Burgundy.
Julien Bernard of France and the Lidl – Trek team and his son before the 111th Tour de France 2024, Stage 6, a 163.5 km stage from Macon to Dijon / #UCIWT / on July 4, 2024, in Macon, France. (Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
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Videos on social media show him driving slowly down a crowded street as fans cheer him on enthusiastically.
In the midst of all the chaos, Bernard's wife appeared holding their son.
He stopped to kiss his wife and son and continued.
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But the UCI later issued a statement announcing that Bernard had been fined $223 for “indecorous or inappropriate behaviour during the race and damage to the image of the sport.” The athletic reported.
Julien Bernard of France and Team Lidl – Trek rides during the 111th Tour de France 2024, Stage 7, a 25.3 km individual time trial stage from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin / #UCIWT / on July 5, 2024, in Gevrey-Chambertin, France. (Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
Bernard responded to the news on social media, seemingly unconcerned.
“I regret that the UCI has damaged the image of the sport,” Bernard told X. “But I am willing to pay 200 Swiss francs a day and live this moment again.”
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According to Reuters, Bernard said in an interview after the race that his wife had organized the entire day.
Julien Bernard of France and Team Lidl – Trek crosses the finish line during the 87th Tour de Suisse 2024, Stage 6, a 42.5km stage from Ulrichen to Blatten 1330m / #UCIWT / on June 14, 2024, in Blatten, Switzerland. (Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
“It was really amazing. My wife has been organising it with some friends for a few weeks and she has done a really, really good job,” he said. “In a time trial, you have time to enjoy. It's those moments that keep me going and keep pedalling.”
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