Now in his eleventh full season in Grand Prix racing, Stefano Perugini is a relative veteran of the 125 class. Having made his 125 debut as a wildcard in 1993 he contested his first full season the following year and picked up four podium finishes from the final five races. In 1996 he claimed his debut victory and stepped up to the 250 class in 1997. After three consistent seasons in the quarter-litre category, which included 3 podiums, Perugini returned to the 125 class in 2001 with Italjet, before a return to Aprilia saw him fight for the title with Dani Pedrosa in 2003. The Italian will be hoping for similar form in 2004 after switching to Gilera.