José Rujano chases his fourth victory in the Vuelta al Tachira that will be held between the 10th and 19th of January, after winning the 2003, 2004 and 2010 of the Venezuelan race.

Rujano and the Gobernación de Mérida-FundaRujano team prepare an assault on the mountains of Tachira and the climber has already done almost 1,000km. "I am fine, the training has been good for me. Hopefully things will go well in January and we will be able to achieve our goal," he told Ultimas Noticias.

"I have done some intense training sessions, all in search of physical strength and endurance," he said.

Rujano has three stages of the Giro d'Italia and a third place and the mountain the mountains jersey in the 2005 edition of the race on his palmares. His last international success were the two stages and the sixth place he achieved in the 2011 Giro. In his sporting career he has been riding for Colombia-Selle Italia (2003-2006), Quick Step (2006), Unibet (2007), Caisse d'Epargne (2008), ISD-Neri (2010), Androni ( 2011-2012) and Vacansoleil (2013). Having been linked to a doping case in 2013, he announced his retirement but he is now again riding in his home country.