After early season
rumours suggesting that José Rujano of the Selle Italia-Serramenti Diquigiovanni
team would miss out on a start in this years Giro d’Italia following his
none-appearance in Europe, Gianni Savio's squad appear to have lamented and will
now allow the exciting climbing sensation to compete for them.The Venezuelan will then transfer across
to the Belgian Quick.Step team on June 1st, after the race finish, as previously
agreed between all parties.
Jojo, as he is fondly
known, recently spoke to La
Gazzetta dello Sport.In the interview he explained that, "I'm feeling really good and really
happy to be back in Italy racing again. I was able to
ride with the best riders in my first two races and only slowed down on the wet
descents... it's normal as I don't want to take any risks before the
Giro.”
José Rujano (Selle Italia) (right). Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.
“Now everything is set;
I'll stay with Selle Italia for the Giro and until 31 May, then I'll pass to
Quick.Step for the rest of the season. Cycling is my life, my work, my way to
earn...in Venezuela, the bottom has fallen out
of the economy. Poor people have become really poor and rich people have become
really rich. Those in the middle have become poor too. The Giro d'Italia has
given me a lot of glory and not much money. I managed to buy a house for my
family with my salary and prize money. It's near their old house but a little
higher up, for when the floods come, it's important to be on a high spot. The
houses up high stay there, but the ones down low get washed away."
For this season, his
goals do not end at the Giro, as he explained."I want to be at least in the first
three at the Giro, and in the first five at the Tour de France." With the obvious talent that this young
rider has, who are we to doubt him.Jojo is a style of rider that has been missing from the Tour for several
years.Iban Mayo once promised much
but has since faded away.Not since
the glory days of Marco Pantani have we seen a true mountain specialist lighting
up the roads on the way to Paris.
Sticking with the South
American theme, a new Colombian professional team was launched last week,
Colombia es Pasion Coldeportes.The team is supported by two major
sponsors, Proexport and Coldeportes, the national sports institute.The team hope to emulate the early
success of the Café de Colombia and Postobon teams of the 1980’s, introducing
the magic of these riders to a new generation of cycling fans across the
world.
The team will race the
UCI America Tour calendar and some European races.Their campaign begins with the Tour of
El Salvador and the Vuelta de la Juventud for the U23 riders in
Colombia.
Former winner of the
Tour de France and current director of Team CSC, Bjarne Riis, has slammed Jan
Ullrich over his attitude towards the sport and his
profession.
After seeing his former
team mate in Tuscany, Italy,
Riis told Danish newspaper BT that Ullrich’s current state of fitness was
"absolutely catastrophic".He went
on to add that "It's clear that he doesn't like to ride a bike, which is why I
can't understand why he wants to be a cyclist.It's a waste of talent. He has to wake
up soon. I believe in him less and less."
Ullrich meanwhile has
confirmed that his early season knee troubles and behind him and he is now back
in to full training.Writing on his
personal website, Ullrich said that, "I'll compete in my first race this season
as of next Tuesday, at the Tour de Romandie.After a short handicap because of my
knee irritation I'm completely back on track now."
Andreas Klöden and Jan Ullrich at last year's Tour de France. Who'll pull Ulle up the French mountains in 2006? Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com to find out! Photo copyright Roadcycling.com/Ben Ross Photography.
"I can completely strain
my knee again.Even after speed
training, where I pace behind a motorbike at full speed, I don't have any
problems anymore. I'm on the saddle for up to six hours every day. I'll be
increasing the intensity further so that I can hold on to the race in Switzerland."
Finally this week, if
you’re in the neighbourhood, why not check out the inaugural Capitol Classic: A
Bicycle Ride & Race for Autism Awareness (http://www.bikeforautism.org/), taking place on Sunday, June
4 inSaint Paul, on
the streets surrounding the Minnesota State Capitol. This fundraiser features
plenty of cycling, live music, healthful-food options, and wellness expo. All
proceeds will benefit the Autism Society of Minnesota.
Please support us by
linking to Roadcycling.com from your Web site or blog. Thank
you.
