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I can see the difference but I would definitely say it’s a grey area at best. They cannot offer the same support to other riders and the rules state-
Only use commercial services that are available to all challengers - no private resupply, no private lodging
cjr-
Given that I'm involved I'll let someone else explain it.
I'm black and white and a lot harder on these things than most, and this was legit.
The point is anyone else could have been there at that moment in time and had that opportunity. I didnt ask for, or seek it out. Some people call it trail magic, but I don't like that. It's just beautiful circumstance. As an aside, had this guy know about me, or the race I would not have taken the pads. But my tracker was off and he didnt have a clue.
Where as someone that came to meet me, to give me brake pads, is clearly private resupply. As would be a dotwatcher coming out to give a rider food. I will never take food from dotwatchers as it is private resupply.
Sometimes you just get a bit of luck. And if theres any unfair thought, I'd just spend 16 hours sitting around because of the issue. So I'd already been self penalised pretty reasonably.
skinny
A person that knows about the race and riders, finding them to specifically give them food; clearly support and private assistance.
A random guy outside a shop that knows nothing about the racer or rider, who enquires what a fellow cyclists issue is. And without being asked, offers to give their own brake pads to said rider. Not support, but just lucky coincidence.
Hopefully you can see the difference.