Pinotti in pink

The pair were part of a five man escape group that built up a lead of over seven minutes over two climbs.

Laverde of the Panaria team then attacked on the final climb of the day, the second category Forca di Cerro with 25km remaining, and only the former Italian time-trial champion could stay with the Colombian.

T-Mobile's Pinotti did not even contest the sprint as he was content with taking the overall leader's maglia rosa from Danilo Di Luca.

"I'm really happy to have taken the pink jersey," he said after the race. "It's my first leader's jersey in a ProTour race and it's a very special moment for me."

Swiss Hubert Schwab of Quick Step is second overall after finishing fourth just behind Christophe Kern (Credit Agricole) who was 90 seconds behind Laverde.

Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff) was the last of the original breakway riders who attacked 45km into the stage and were allowed a significant lead by Di Luca's Liquigas squad as they ascended the first category 21km long climb of the Monte Terminillo and the third cat Forca Capistrello.

Laverde, won stage 14 in the 2006 Giro, crossed each summit in first position and will take the lead in the mountains classification while Pinotti has a three and a half minute lead on GC from Schwab with Di Luca now third, 4:12 behind.