After just 7 games, Pinardi was signed by Serie B side Novara for €460,000 fee in a 2½ year contract. On 30 January 2012 he was loaned to Vicenza for the rest of the 2011-12 season, and then sold for the next season. Novara sold Pinardi for €1 million, signing Alain Baclet also for €1 million in exchange. Pinardi signed a 3-year contract.