Apparently, Jose Rujano ended his professional cycling career last summer already. He still won a 5th Vuelta a Tachira in 2015 after his return to South America. Nicknamed the condor of the Andes, his major career achievements of course are his 2009 Vuelta a Colombia win and the King of the mountains title at the 2005 Giro d'Italia, while additionally finishing 3rd overall. Rujano enjoyed a successful career in the South American cycling scene , although he never managed to fulfill his potential on the European scene after 2005. Still he remains among the most successful Latin American cyclists of the Zeros and is still well appreciated especially in Colombia given he left his sparkles in Europe during an otherwise rather unfruitful time frame for South American cyclists. Being a 15 year old kid back in 2005, I remember being hugely impressed and amazed how a little flyweight like Rujano managed to emerge at the top of the world on that legendary first Finestre stage. Ever since together with Emanuele Sella he's remained one of my most warmful childhood memories in cycling.
Being a true flyweight with around 48 kilograms on only 1.62 meters, Rujano in fact was even lighter than fellow latin hottie Eva Longoria who used to measure 48 kilos at 1.53 meters when she still was a true skinnygirl back in 2005!
Rujano remains in the world of cycling as he apparently set up his own Gobernacion Merida - Fundacion Rujano team 2 years ago and still holds a management position in that team. I'm not an expert in the South American cycling scene though, so Escarabajo might be able to verify or specify that information. He doesn't seem to be very active in social media anymore, since there ain't no recent updates on his Instagram accounts. Hopefully he fares well given the current political situation in Venezuela. Wish him all the best!