Jose Rujano targets 2011 Giro d'Italia under Gianni Savio
Venezuelan climber Jose Rujano has said he hopes to be in the running for the general classification of the 2011 Giro d'Italia, a title he came close to winning in 2005.
Rujano, who left his former outfit ISD-Neri after the team was not invited to this year's Giro, has been racing in South America with Gobernacion del Zulia team for the past six months.
For next season, Rujano has rejoined Androni Giocattoli's roster, teaming up with former trainer Gianni Savio, who helped him claim third place in the 2005 Giro during the rider's last spell with the team.
"Now I have this new goal, this target, to be successful again in the Giro d'Italia 2011," Rujano said according to Italian monthly
Biciclisimo. "There are seven mountain stages that can favour me, including Sestriere, where I won in 2005."
The 2011 Giro route has angered sprinters such as Alessandro Petacchi, who have claimed that its many ascents put non-climbing specialists at a disadvantage.
Rujano, who won the climbing classification and the combativity award of the race in 2005, said he thought next year's route would suit him well.
"The course helps me a lot, because it is tougher than in 2005. It is a dream to win the Giro d'Italia and that is why I am doing a lot of preparation, including the Vuelta al Táchira, the Tour of Malaysia and other European races."
The 28-year-old added that Savio, who led Italian rider Michele Scarponi to fourth place overall and one stage victory at this year's Giro, has expressed his excitement to be reunited with his former rider.
"I have spoken two or three times with Savio and he is very happy that we can work together again, because he knows I have the talent and he is confident that we will be on the podium again."
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