go through Michael Shires McNamee, bbc news
eurosportFrench cyclist Julien Bernard has issued a light-hearted apology after being fined for kissing his wife during the Tour de France time trial.
The Lidl-Trek rider was fined 200 Swiss francs ($223; £174) by the International Cycling Union (ICU) for briefly stopping on stage seven of the race.
The governing body said the fine was due to “disgraceful or inappropriate conduct during matches and damage to the image of the sport”.
Writing on social media, Bernard apologized to the UCI for “damaging the image of sport” but said he was willing to “pay the fine every day and relive this moment.”
Stage 7 of the Tour de France is a short 23.3 km (14.5 mile) stage that is one of two time trials in the race – where cyclists must race against time to achieve the best time.
This climb takes place in the famous wine region of Burgundy. According to Cycling News, Bernard met with his supporters just 30 minutes away from where he lives.
When he reached the top, friends ran toward him holding signs, and his wife stepped forward, hugged her son, who was wearing replica cycling gear, and gave him a quick kiss.
Italian cyclist Davide Ballerini stopped earlier in the race to watch Britain’s Mark Cavendish sprint to a record-breaking 35th Tour de France victory Duan Shengli was subsequently fined the same amount for violating the same rules.
Getty ImagesIn a television interview after the stage, Bernard said that meeting his loved ones was a unique moment in his career and that he pushed hard early on in the stage so that he would have enough time to do so.
“It’s unbelievable. My wife has been organizing this event with some friends for a few weeks now and she’s doing a really, really good job,” he said.
“In a time trial you have time to enjoy yourself. It’s moments like these that keep me on the bike.”
