After facing a fine for kissing his wife during a time trial during the Tour de France, French cyclist Julien Bernard has issued a lighthearted apology.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) fined the Lidl-Trek rider 200 Swiss francs ($223; £174) for his brief stop during stage seven of the competition.”Unseemly or inappropriate behaviour during the race and damage to the image of the sport,” according to the governing body, was the reason for the fine.
Bernard expressed regret on social media to the UCI for “having damaged the image of sport,” but he added that he would be happy to pay the fine “every day and relive this moment.”One of two time trials in the Tour de France, where riders compete against the clock for the best time, is stage seven, which is a brief 23.3 km (14.5 mi) course.
“A rider who kissed his wife during the Tour de France was fined.”
The ascent takes place in Burgundy, a well-known wine region. Bernard’s supporters met him just thirty minutes away from his residence, according to Cycling News.His wife stepped forward to give him a quick kiss while holding their son, who was wearing a replica cycling kit, as friends ran towards him holding signs as he reached the top of a climb.
Earlier in the race, Italian cyclist Davide Ballerini was fined the same amount for violating the same rule after stopping to watch Britain’s Mark Cavendish sprint to a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage victory.
After the show, Bernard spoke on television, describing the meeting with his family as a special occasion in his career and explaining that he had pushed hard earlier in the show to ensure he would have enough time to do so.
“It was truly amazing. For the past few weeks, my wife and a few friends have been planning this, and she did an absolutely fantastic job,” he remarked.”You have time to have fun during a time trial. These are the times that sustain me and my cycling.
[BBC]
