Quadruple Italian time trial champion Marco Pinotti had one of his best seasons in 2009, and has used those results plus a recent addition to his family as motivators for the year ahead.
“I’ve still to see the numbers as regards my form, but I’m feeling ahead [of other years],” the friendly 33 year old told VeloNation this week. “The end of season was good and my morale is higher because of the baby – my son Davide was born on November 22nd. I also really like training properly.”
Pinotti won a stage in the Vuelta al País Vasco and was also part of the winning Columbia-HTC squad in the team time trials at the Tour de Romandie and the Giro d’Italia. He didn’t ride the Tour de France but kept training hard and posted a strong second-half to the season, with results such as second on a stage and sixth overall in the Sachsen Tour, fifth in the Tour of Ireland, third overall in the Tour of Missouri, fifth in the world TT championships and then a win in the Coppa Lella Mentasti - GP Città di Stresa event.
For him, the main highlights were the stage win in the Pais Vasco, then the team time trial in the Giro and the individual TT in Mendrisio. Since then, he’s been thinking about 2010, allowing himself to recover from the season before chasing new targets.
“Since the end of the season I did a four week transition period, during which I swam sometimes, did a powercranks ride here and there and then rest, rest rest,” he said.
“Looking to the season ahead, I want to be at my best for the period between Romandie and the Giro. In the second half of the year, I will aim for the worlds time trial. In addition to that, I want to start every race with a clear goal for myself and my team, then accomplish it.”