Cycling world unites against UCI in criticism for fining Julien Bernard at Tour de France - "They have no clue"

Close to home roads, stage 7's time-trial at the Tour de France was a very special day for Lidl-Trek's Julien Bernard. The French rider had a TV bike with him throughout his effort as in the day's climb there was a large fan group awaiting him including his wife and child - which he stopped to kiss. He was fined at the end of the day by the UCI, which has triggered many fans and fellow riders.

"Unseemly or inappropriate behaviour during the race and damage to the image of sport. 200CHF fine," the race's jury report for the day said. Whilst just being formal language, many took the 'damage to the image of sport' term without a grain of salt and have taken the opportunity to criticize the UCI. Bernard himself wrote on Twitter "and sorry UCI Cycling for damaging the image of the sport. But I'm willing to pay 200CHF every day and relive this moment." Naturally, this expanded the incident even further in terms of exposure, and soon enough X (formerly known as Twitter) to be packed with criticism, as well as support for Bernard.

Magnus Cort Nielsen of Uno-X Mobility showed a video of him stopping on the Col du Galibier to kiss his partner with the caption "What a joke. I guess I was lucky when they missed me a couple of days ago". Most likely the fine from the UCI came as a result of Bernard and his convoy blocking the road on the climb, but this ultimately did not affect other riders.

Former Paracycling Olympic Champion Colyn Lynch wrote: "Dear UCI Cycling, as one of the elected Athlete Representatives, I just want to express my shame at seeing fines like this, instead of celebrating these beautiful displays of athletes being human beings. Please revoke these fines immediately and restore the image of OUR sport.

Cyclist journalist Robyn Davidson summed up the point of the criticism quite well: "The UCI meanwhile thinks this “damages the image” of cycling and fined Julien Bernard. They have no clue."

Former pro Colin Sturgess: "Julian Bernard finishes 61st on the stage (out of 174) but is fined/penalised by the UCI for “bringing the sport into disrepute (or some such shit)” coz he stopped to embrace his wife and child… FML. Seriously… take a long hard look at yourselves UCI."

Prominent cycling pundit Benji Naesen: " The UCI is a fucking joke, man. They fined Bernard for damaging the image of the sport because he was enthusiastically celebrating with fans on the climb, doing the opposite of damaging the image of the sport."