Julien Bernard had a dreamy homecoming on Friday. During the seventh time trial of the Tour de France, held in Bernard’s home region of Burgundy, the French cyclist took in the local crowd and shared a precious embrace with his wife and son.
Before interrupting his ride to kiss his family, Bernard was fined 200 Swiss francs ($223) by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for what the governing body deemed “improper or improper behavior during the race” and damage to its image of sports.”
The hug – which drew a rousing ovation from his hundreds of cheering local fans – came at a cinematic moment as Bernard pushed up a steep hill with one arm in the air as his friends and family crowded the course and clapped him on the back. waving signs and playing instruments.
In the middle of the pack sat his radiant wife carrying their son.
Great scenes for Julien Bernard with incredible fan support and a stop with his family during the time trial.#TDF2024 📺: Peacock pic.twitter.com/FjIhSOWtjx
— NBC Sports Cycling (@NBCSCycling) July 5, 2024
On social media, Bernard took the fine as a joke.
“Sorry that the UCI has damaged the image of the sport,” Bernard wrote on X. “But I am willing to pay 200 francs every day and relive this moment.”
Belgian Remco Evenepoel eventually won the hilly 23.5 km (14.6 mi) stage.
Bernard’s time of 32:03 was the 61st fastest time of the stage. His Lidl-Trek teammate Giulio Ciccone finished 41st in the stage in 31:19.
Another Lidl-Trek teammate, Toms Skujins, responded to Bernard’s penalty with similar sarcastic confusion.
UCI does UCI things
😂 pic.twitter.com/VFrIDWYL2I— Toms Skujiņš (@Tomashuuns) July 5, 2024
“I knew my wife and my friends were doing something on the climb, and I was looking forward to seeing them,” Bernard said in an interview after the test, later adding: “I wanted to be in second place enjoying everyone with my friend and family. It was a dream moment for me.”
“During a time trial you have time to enjoy. It is these moments that keep me cycling.”
Required reading
(Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)