Rujano dropped by Vacansoleil as precaution

PARIS (AFP) –

Venezuela’s Jose Rujano (C) in action during the Tour of Italy on May 20, 2011. Rujano has been dropped from the Vacansoleil team for the Tour of Italy, which starts in Naples on Saturday, as a precaution due to his implication in a doping case.

Venezuelan climber Jose Rujano has been dropped from the Vacansoleil team for the Tour of Italy, which starts in Naples on Saturday, as a precaution due to his implication in a doping case.

Rujano, who finished third at the Giro in 2005, was named in an inquiry into a doping case in Italy relating to 2009 and 2010.

Vacansoleil say he has not taken a banned substance but they preferred to play it safe.

“The products concerning Rujano are not on the banned list. If we stick to the rules, he could race, but we preferred not to take a risk,” the Dutch team’s manager Daan Luijkx said.

The 31-year-old has been replaced by Belgian debutant Willem Wauters.

Meanwhile, former top-five finisher in the Tour de France Robert Gesink will lead the Blanco team.

The 26-year-old climbing specialist, who has finished in the top 10 three times at the Tour of Spain, has been given a goal of finishing in the top five in Italy, his team said.

Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans of Australia will be part of the BMC team.

Team line-ups:

Vacansoleil: Grega Bole (SLO), Martijn Keizer (NED), Maurits Lammertink (NED), Pim Ligthart (NED), Marco Marcato (ITA), Rob Ruijgh (NED), Jose Rujano (VEN), Rafael Valls (ESP), Frederik Veuchelen (BEL), Willem Wauters (BEL)

Blanco: Robert Gesink (NED), Steven Kruijswijk (NED), Wilco Kelderman (NED), Stef Clement (NED), Jack Bobridge (AUS), Juan Manuel Garate (ESP), Paul Martens (GER), Maarten Tjallingii (NED), Maarten Wynants (BEL)

BMC: Adam Blythe (GBR), Steve Cummings (GBR), Cadel Evans (AUS), Klaas Lodewyck (BEL), Steve Morabito (SUI), Daniel Oss (ITA), Taylor Phinney (USA), Ivan Santaromita (ITA), Danilo Wyss (SUI)