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.”