French cyclist Julien Bernard was slapped with a $223 fine by the International Cycling Union (UCI) for stopping to kiss his wife and son during the seventh stage of the Tour de France.

The heartwarming moment, which took place in Bernard's hometown of Burgundy, was deemed "inappropriate behavior" by the UCI, damaging the image of the sport.

The incident occurred 15 minutes into the time trial, when Bernard spotted his wife and two-year-old son on the side of the road. He briefly stopped to greet them, sharing a kiss with his wife. The moment was met with cheers from the crowd, but the UCI saw it differently.

Bernard was fined 200 Swiss francs, equivalent to $223, for his actions. The UCI stated that Bernard's behavior was "unseemly or inappropriate during the race and damaged the image of sport." However, Bernard seemed unbothered by the fine, taking to social media to express his love for his family.

"I'm sorry, but what was that? I love you so much," Bernard wrote. "And sorry UCI Cycling for having damaged the image of Sport. But I am willing to pay 200CHF every day and relive this moment."

Bernard finished the stage in 61st place, three minutes and 11 seconds behind the stage winner. Despite the fine, Bernard cherished the moment, revealing in a television interview that his wife had organized the surprise visit with friends.

"It was really incredible," Bernard said. "My wife has been organizing this with some friends for a few weeks now, and she did a really, really good job. On a time trial, you have time to enjoy yourself. It's these moments that keep me going and cycling."

The incident has sparked debate about the UCI's stance on emotional displays during races. While some argue that Bernard's actions were harmless, others believe that the fine was justified to maintain the sport's professional image. Regardless, Bernard's heartwarming moment with his family will be remembered as one of the most touching moments in Tour de France history.