José Humberto Rujano Guillen (born 18 February 1982) is a Venezuelanroad bicycle racer who competed professionally between 2003 and 2013, and most recently competed for Venezuelan amateur team Osorio Grupo Ciclismo.
Career
Born in Santa Cruz de Mora, Mérida, Rujano made his debut in the professional peloton in 2003 with the Colombia–Selle Italia team. In 2005 Rujano had his best year to date, finishing third in the Giro d'Italia and winning the mountains classification. In 2006 he left the Colombia-Selle Italia team for Quick Step and he moved to the Spanish ProTour team Caisse d'Epargne in 2008. His results were not up to the expectations of team leaders, who did not renew his contract at the end of the season. In 2010, Rujano joined the Italian Professional Continental team ISD-Neri.[1] He was not selected for the Giro d'Italia, his main objective for the season, so he left the team in May and returned to Venezuela.[2]
Androni Giocattoli (2011–12)
At the end of 2010, Rujano signed a contract for two years with the Italian team Androni Giocattoli, directed by Gianni Savio who said that he "believed in his talent" and wanted "to revive his career." Rujano was recruited at the same time as the Italian climber Emanuele Sella, Savio referring to giving these two riders a "last chance".[3]
His main objective for 2011 was the Giro d'Italia, and especially its mountain stages.[4] He lived up to his objectives since he prevailed on 2 mountain stages in the race: stage 9 from Messina to Etna after original winner Alberto Contador was removed from the rankings due to a doping affair[5] and stage 13[6] from Spilimbergo to Grossglockner, while finishing sixth in the overall classification.
Rujano left Androni Giocattoli–Venezuela at the end of 2012, and joined Vacansoleil–DCM for the 2013 season.[8] Rujano reportedly retired during the 2013 season,[9] but later in the season, he backtracked from his retirement and remained within the professional fold after terminating his contract with Vacansoleil–DCM.[10]
^ abRujano was promoted one position retroactively, after Alberto Contador's results were disqualified following his backdated two-year ban in February 2012.[12]
