Rujano on his way to Vacansoleil-DCM

Update 03/10 - José Rujano has now confirmed he will in fact join Vacansoleil-DCM next year. 

José Rujano at the start of the Giro 2012.
Next year it will be for Vacansoleil-DCM.

José Rujano seems to get yet another chance at the highest level in cycling as four World Tour teams right now are battling to sign the Venezuelan climber for 2013.

Last year Rujano said he wanted to extend his contract with Androni Giocattoli, but after this year’s Giro d’Italia it was clear to everyone that that would never happen.

After a disappointing Giro, José Rujano left the race through the back door claiming mononucleosis was the reason for his abandonment, but according to the team boss Gianni Savio that wasn’t true. Given the nature of Rujano’s exit and the weak excuse, Savio publicly said that Rujano didn’t have a future on the team anymore and by the end of August Rujano’s contract with Androni Giocattoli ran out.

Since then it’s been very quiet around José Rujano but within the last couple of weeks his name has been mentioned again and again. Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank, Euskaltel-Euskadi & Vacansoleil-DCM are all being named among the four teams interested in signing José Rujano and according to my South American sources it will be Vacansoleil-DCM who end up with the Venezuelan rider.

The Dutch team have a good record of giving riders another chance when others didn’t believe in them, Johnny Hoogerland as the best example, and even though José Rujano hasn’t been able to perform without Gianni Savio at his side in the past, he seems to be given a new chance by Vacansoleil-DCM.

So far Vacansoleil-DCM have been focusing on rearming their Classic team with riders like Juan Antonio Flecha and Grega Bole but it would appear that they felt the need to sign another strong climber as Stefan Denifl and Matteo Carrera are leaving the team. 

What do you think? Will Rujano be able to shine again in the colors of the Dutch team? Leave your comment below.

GIRO EXCLUSIVE: Savio criticizes Rujano's Giro perfomance

Gianni Savio hopes his star rider will
find himself in the remaining stages.

Team manager of Androni Giocattoli, Gianni Savio, had big expectations for José Rujano before the start of this year’s Giro d’Italia, stating that Rujano was even better than last year. Before the last three decisive mountain stages José Rujano is number 22nd in the overall classification, 7,50 min behind Joaquim Rodriguez. 

First chance to turn the tables will be on Stage 17 to Cortina D’Ampezzo with four hard mountains on the menu, but even though Gianni Savio hopes for the best, he also makes it clear that Rujano isn’t where he should be.

“I hope we will see Rujano in front because so far he is the only rider on the team who hasn’t had produced a good Giro d’Italia. He has told me that it has been too cold for him and that’s why he hasn’t been performing well, but I think that if you are in good condition the weather shouldn’t really matter much. But let's see, I really hope he can rise tomorrow [Stage 17]”, Gianni Savio tells.

You can read Gianni Savio’s preview of Stage 17 by clicking here.

Giro Expert Preview - Stage 14

Gianni Savio explains:
Now it begins! The last climb to Cervinia isn’t very hard though so it all depends on if the favorites want to attack in the finish. I’m sure there will be established a breakaway in the beginning of the stage and if that break gets 12-13-14 minutes it’s possible it could make it with two or three minutes in the end. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get two races in the race. One for the stage win and one for the overall classification.

It’s difficult to pick out a favorite. Many riders want to the be in the break but if the peloton catches the break on the last climb it could be a good chance for my team leader José Rujano.