Julien Bernard Fined for Kissing Wife During 2024 Tour De France Time Trial
July 6, 2024
Julien Bernard found out the hard way what happens when you show affection to your family during the Tour de France.
Per Reuters, the International Cycling Union fined Bernard 200 Swiss francs ($223 U.S. dollars) for stopping to kiss his wife and son during the time trial seventh stage of the event on Friday.
The moment happened early in the time trial, which took place in Bernard's home region in Burgundy, amid a sea of supporters. Bernard spotted his wife, who was holding the couple's son, and kissed them both before resuming his ride.
Eurosport France @Eurosport_FR๐ "๐๐ก ๐ช๐ฎ๐ ๐'๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ฎ !" ๐<br><br>Quand le local de l'รฉtape, Julien Bernard, harangue la foule (et s'arrรชte mรชme pour embrasser sa femme ๐ )<br><br>Suivez la fin du chrono sur Eurosport via l'application <a href="https://twitter.com/StreamMaxFrance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StreamMaxFrance</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TDF2024?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TDF2024</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LesRP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LesRP</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Eut38kS5y">pic.twitter.com/2Eut38kS5y</a>
Reuters noted the International Cycling Union said in a statement that Bernard's actions were inappropriate and damaged the image of the sport.
Bernard seemed to take the whole thing in stride. In a post written in French on X (h/t James Moultrie of CyclingNews.com), he said he had no issue paying the fine to get that moment.
"Sorry, but what was that? I love you so much," Bernard wrote. "And sorry UCI Cycling for having damaged the image of Sport. But I am willing to pay 200CHF every day and relive this moment."
Bernard wound up finishing in 61st place out of 174 riders in the time trial. He enters stage eight of the Tour de France on Saturday in 39th place overall, trailing leader Tadej Pogaฤar by 20 minutes, 41 seconds.
The 32-year-old Bernard is competing in the Tour de France for the fourth time in his career. This is his first appearance at the event since 2021 when he finished 37th.