Venezuelan
climber Jose Rujano has returned to the team which gave him his big break, and will compete with the Androni Giocattoli squad in 2011 and 2012.
The Pro Continental team today announced that they had signed a two year deal with the 28 year old, who memorably claimed last winter that he was the third-best climber in the world, behind Andy Schleck and Joaquin Rodriguez.
He showed his uphill prowess in winning the Vuelta al Tachira and the Tour de Langkawi in the early part of this year, but left his ISD-Neri team when it was passed over for an invite to the Giro d’Italia.
Rujano has been racing since then in South America with the Gobernación del Zulia team, with whom he competed last season.
Five years ago Rujano was the relevation of the Giro d’Italia, winning a stage, taking third overall and netting the prize as best climber.
At 23 years of age he appeared set for a glistening career yet, despite contracts with teams such as Quick Step-Innergetic, Unibet.com and Caisse d’Epargne, he has been unable to replicate that kind of form. Now the chance to once again race with Gianni Savio’s squad could see him get back to competing in the Giro and other major events.
“We discovered him in Venezuela and launched him amongst the professionals in 2003,” said Savio. “After two seasons, during which we had let him grow gradually, he conquered the podium in Giro d’Italia at 23 years of age and as the leader of our team.
“He also took the stage to Sestrieres and the green jersey as King of the Mountains. Then he left us and stopped his results. We want to re-launch him, since we trust in his talent and we believe that with the spirit of team, he will be able to obtain again great results”.
After heading back to South America, he won a stage in the Vuelta a Venezuela in July, then took a stage plus third overall in the Vuelta a Colombia in August.