Richie Porte: I didn't know about the rule they penalised me for (video)
Team Sky's Richie Porte commends the actions of Simon Clarke and Michael Matthews despite them landing him a two-minute penalty

Richie Porte on stage six of the 2015 Tour of Italy
Richie Porte admits he didn’t know about the rule that stung him with a two-minute penalty on Tuesday’s stage 10 of the Giro d’Italia, but says he can’t change the situation now.
Porte accepted a front wheel from fellow Australian Simon Clarke, riding for Orica-GreenEdge, in the final kilometres of stage 10 when he suffered a puncture.
The race jury, however, decided the act of sportsmanship contravened UCI Rule 12.1.040, which states riders are not allowed to provide ‘non-regulation assistance to a rider of another team’.
“[My reaction was] one of shock and disbelief, but rules are rules. I didn’t know about that rule but there’s nothing we can do now to change the situation.
“I commend my good mates Simon Clarke and Michael Matthews for helping out – that was a great picture of cycling but the jury see it differently. Hopefully it’s the same rules for everybody.”
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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.