Pinotti ready to fill Italian void at Giro

Italian time trial champion Marco Pinotti (HTC-Columbia)

Italian time trial champion Marco Pinotti (HTC-Columbia) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

After winning the prologue of the Tour of Romandie, Marco Pinotti (HTC-Columbia) is a natural favourite for the opening time trial at the Giro d’Italia in Amsterdam on Saturday, but the affable Italian has played down his chances after rating his opposition as being at a higher level for the corsa rosa.