McQuaid praises Pinotti

Pinotti took the race leader's pink jersey at the end of Friday's sixth stage and retained the lead on Saturday, three minutes 30 seconds ahead of Switzerland's Hubert Schwab.

In Friday's post-race news conference, Pinotti criticised 2006 Giro winner Ivan Basso for confessing to attempted doping "only...when he had his back to the wall".

Pinotti also said his T-Mobile team were clean and should be an example to every team.

"He's been very brave and I completely agree with him," McQuaid said on Saturday.

"He introduced himself after last October's Tour of Lombardy race and said he wanted to talked to me about doping.

"He said: 'Mr McQuaid if you don't get this doping problem sorted out I have no option but to leave the sport because I can't continue to race against guys that are doping'.

"I was quite impressed by him that day and it encouraged and motivated me to keep on fighting. I've read in the press that he's considered a clean and honest rider. He seems quite an intelligent guy and he has a good philosophy about the sport.

"I think it's a good sign that he spoke out and there are others out there like him."

Basso denies ever taking performance-enhancing drugs or using blood transfusions but admitted earlier this month that he had intended to dope and was involved in the Operation Puerto scandal in Spain.

Basso could learn his punishment next month. McQuaid has said that he does not deserve a reduced ban for admitting his involvement in the Operation Puerto scandal.

REUTERS