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Pinotti ends season on high with time trial win

published 20 October 2009

GP Stresa victory caps positive season for expectant father

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Italian Marco Pinotti (Columbia) races to GP Stresa win (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Marco Pinotti ended his season with at the GP Stresa time trial Sunday in Italy. His win came one day after a disappointing Giro di Lombardia and allowed him to start his off-season positively.

Pinotti out for Worlds top nine

"I wanted better at Lombardia, but it was an off day," Pinotti told Cyclingnews. "I thought I would end the season like that. Instead, Sunday's race let me finish the season with the knowledge that I had worked well. It showed my body handled the work well and can become better next year."

Italian Champion Pinotti (Columbia-HTC) won by over a minute ahead of Alessandro Raisoni (CarmioOro) and Ivan Basso (Liquigas). It erased the disappointment of finishing 6:52 behind winner Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) on home roads at the Giro di Lombardia.

He closed the season with three wins: Stresa, Italian time trial championships and a stage of País Vasco. He also helped American-based Columbia-HTC to two team time trial wins, at the Tour de Romandie and the Giro d'Italia.

His one regret is missing out on the podium at the World Championship time trial last month in Mendrisio, Switzerland. He finished fifth, 3:03 behind Fabian Cancellara.

"I had a good result, but I did not use all of my potential," Pinotti said. "With only a little bit more, I could have been on the podium. It didn't go well that day; I did not show as best as I could."

Pinotti will take a brief break before returning to training for the 2010 season. He will also be busy at home; he and his wife are expecting a baby boy in November.