Team Sky has pledged to fight on after its general classification rider Richie Porte was handed a two minute penalty on Tuesday which could cost him his chance of winning the Giro d’Italia.

The Australian punctured inside the final ten kilometres of the stage to Forli. Stranded without immediate support, he was given a wheel by compatriot Simon Clarke, who competes with the Orica GreenEdge team.

While he lost 43 seconds, this was less than might otherwise be the case, and seemed to keep his hopes of the Maglia Rosa alive.

This show of sportmanship was intially praised by some observers but others pointed out that it was in controvention of UCI rules.

Sure enough, after a period of time the race commissaires referred to rule 12.01.40 8.2, handing the rider a two minute time penalty.

This caused him to slip to 12th place on the general classification, leaving him three minutes and nine seconds behind race leader Contador.

Clarke was also hit with the same penatly, while both riders must pay a fine of 200 Swiss francs.

Clarke reacted to the news on Twitter, expressing regret with how things turned out.

Feeling sad for @richie_porte. Tried to help a friend as most would. I'm sorry about the outcome of all this!

— Simon Clarke (@SimoClarke) May 19, 2015

Team Sky Principal Dave Brailsford knows that the development is damaging to Porte’s campaign. He insisted the team would fight on.

“It is obviously disappointing that a sporting gesture made in the heat of the moment has resulted in such a strong penalty,” he stated. “No one was trying to gain an unfair advantage.

“This has however just strengthened our resolve and determination to fight for this race. Richie and the whole team are ready to take it on and there is a lot of this Giro left.”

Porte had started the stage third overall, 22 seconds back. Many had expected him to push for pink in the upcoming time trial, Saturday’s 59.4 kilometre race from Treviso to Valdobbiadene.

Instead, he will have to use the solo test as an opportunity to try to recoup some of the lost time.

As could be expected, there has been plenty of discussion on Twitter. Here’s a selection of reactions from riders, journalists and others.

So cool to see @SimoClarke help out @richie_porte with a wheel in the final of the Giro today. Love the respect between them. Champions

— Koen de Kort (@koendekort) May 19, 2015

Landed in Barcelona, found out @richie_porte got 2 min penalty. What's the rule? Assistance? If I give another rider a bar, that assistance?

— Koen de Kort (@koendekort) May 19, 2015

@koendekort @richie_porte food, drink, spanners or accessories. The lending or exchanging of tubular tyres or bicycles and waiting for a

— Michael Mattsson (@MichaelMattss0n) May 19, 2015

@koendekort @richie_porte rider who has been dropped or involved in an accident shall be permitted only amongst riders of the same team.

— Michael Mattsson (@MichaelMattss0n) May 19, 2015

@koendekort @richie_porte The pushing of one rider by another shall in all cases be forbidden, on pain of disqualification.

— Michael Mattsson (@MichaelMattss0n) May 19, 2015

What a desperately bad decision by judges at Giro. Really foolish to penalise friendship & goodwill, exactly what we need to see more of

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) May 19, 2015

Amazing how something like holding onto cars can just fly under the radar, but then they enforce this?

— Joe Dombrowski (@JoeDombro) May 19, 2015

The UCI have come down harder on R Porte for a wheel change than on Astana for years of proven mismanagement and malpractice.

— Jeremy Whittle (@jeremycwhittle) May 19, 2015

This is cycling. This is the best sport in the world. #Giro pic.twitter.com/gK4C4YfSg9

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 19, 2015

I thought cycling was a gentleman's sport. @richie_porte deserves better than that @giroditalia !!!

— Chris Williams (@c1williamsau) May 19, 2015

Last year, lots of hate for loose application of rules (Stelvio). This year, lots of hate for strict application of rules (Porte). #Giro

— VeloHuman (@VeloHuman) May 19, 2015

@irishpeloton To me they coulda found it in the language to acquit Porte. Rule is against giving help TO (not getting it FROM) another team.

— VeloHuman (@VeloHuman) May 19, 2015

Peloton should collectively strike for 2 minutes as the beauty of the sport took a beating by @UCI_cycling itself tday. Chapeau @SimoClarke

— kristof ramon (@kristoframon) May 19, 2015

I've thought about this Porte Wheelgate for 2 minutes now. He should have had teammates right around him to help. Sky was not prepared.

— Panache (@Kiss_my_Panache) May 19, 2015

@Kiss_my_Panache No. pic.twitter.com/u94pzzB4F0

— Niclas Haslum (@niclashaslum) May 19, 2015

Also, Sportsmanship is one thing, Nationalism is another. If Contador flatted, does he get an Orica wheel? Nope.

— Panache (@Kiss_my_Panache) May 19, 2015

I was hoping for a Porte victory in this Giro. Shame to see this effect the outcome.

— Panache (@Kiss_my_Panache) May 19, 2015

And I definitely agree that the UCI needs to be more consistent in applying all the rules of the sport!!

— Panache (@Kiss_my_Panache) May 19, 2015

But, we can't all cry "Not fair" when they do apply the rules IMHO.

— Panache (@Kiss_my_Panache) May 19, 2015

Question: Has anyone yet seen a pro rider speak out in agreement with @UCI_cycling decision? All I’ve seen is outrage and disagreement.

— Neal Rogers (@nealrogers) May 19, 2015

And I think the fact that every rider I’ve seen react to ruling feels that it’s too harsh speaks volumes. It’s their battlefield, after all.

— Neal Rogers (@nealrogers) May 19, 2015

Sad part is that if Porte’s puncture had been further from finish, he would’ve easily cruised back through caravan—also technically illegal!

— Neal Rogers (@nealrogers) May 19, 2015

In a nutshell. https://t.co/QRSZnunQVG

— Jeremy Whittle (@jeremycwhittle) May 19, 2015

Several people asking why riders can share a gel or a bottle but not a wheel or a bike. Because rules say so pic.twitter.com/A4R2Pf62Us

— the Inner Ring (@inrng) May 19, 2015

Final word from me on this. If that was aru or landa people would be delighted. Peace.

— Anto Moran (@moran_anto) May 19, 2015

Suggestion, everyone in top 50 GC EXCEPT Richie Porte swaps wheels with someone from another team. Everyone gets 2 minutes. #saveporte

— Daniel Lloyd (@daniellloyd1) May 19, 2015

Peloton should all switch wheels on the start line in support of @richie_porte while showing us riders have much influence with unity.

— Caleb Fairly (@calebfairly) May 19, 2015

We don't often see moments of sportsmanship in our sport, time penalty aside, @SimoClarke showed Australia his class as a real role model

— Nathan Haas (@NathanPeterHaas) May 19, 2015

For those wondering if the rule would have been applied to Aru – plenty of Italians have been excluded from #Giro https://t.co/8UymtKmfU2

— SuzeCY (@festinagirl) May 19, 2015

UCI jury president now at Giro is renowned for strict application of rulebook; he was same who time cut Ted King from 2013 TdF for 7secs

— Andrew Hood (@EuroHoody) May 19, 2015