Posted on 07/08/2024 6:18:38 AM PDT by george76
French cyclist Julien Bernard has given a light-hearted apology after being fined for kissing his wife during a Tour de France time trial.
The Lidl-Trek rider was made to pay 200 Swiss francs ($223) by the International Cycling Union for stopping briefly during stage seven of the race.
...
Writing on social media, Bernard apologised to the UCI for "having damaged the image of sport" but said he was willing to pay the fine "every day and relive this moment".
Stage seven of the Tour de France is a short course of 23.3km (14.5 miles) and is one of two time trials in the race - where cyclists race against the clock for the best time.
The climb takes place in the famous wine region of Burgundy... Bernard was just 30 minutes from where he lives when he was met by his supporters.
As he reached the top of a climb, friends ran towards him holding signs and his wife stepped forward - at which point she gave him a quick kiss, holding their son who was dressed in a replica cycling kit.
A fine for the same amount and for breaking the same rule was given earlier in the race to Italian cyclist Davide Ballerini, after he stopped to watch Britain's Mark Cavendish sprint to a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage victory.
...
In a television interview following the stage, Bernard said the encounter with his loved ones had been a unique moment in his career and he had pushed hard earlier in the stage so he would have enough time to do so.
"It was really incredible. My wife has been organising this with some friends for a few weeks now and she did a really, really good job," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
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If he had kissed a guy that would be ‘celebrated’.....................
What would we do without social media. A gift from heaven.
This!
My first thought.
Was it his own Wife he kissed? So, what’s the problem?
Cis-phobia much?
Seems like it’s the UCI that damaging the image of the sport...
That’s the the aspect of France conservatives actually like.
Exactly
“My first thought.”
You need to reboot your brain cells.
What exactly is the rule he broke? Stopping?
UCI is a bunch of humorless, leftist wankers. Glad he kissed his wife. It had no impact on the race, and was in no way damaging to the sport of cycling. UCI takes itself way too seriously.
I concur. Also my first thought. If he kissed another man, no controversy.
FTA: Writing on social media, Bernard apologised to the UCI for “having damaged the image of sport” but said he was willing to pay the fine “every day and relive this moment”.
~~~~~~~~~~
Never heard of this, and I don’t care about this race, but I love this statement.
*Never heard of this man,....
Me too. Good for him.
He is French so he kissed his wife at one point and his multiple girlfriends at other points 😜
He is French so he kissed his wife at one point and his multiple girlfriends at other points 😜
sitting way up high
Way up firm and high
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