Italjet announce second signing.

Following last week's announcement that Gianluigi Scalvini would ride for the Bologna based team in 2001, Stefano Perugini has now been confirmed alongside his countryman in the 125cc class.

The signing means that Italjet have reformed the partnership last seen in MotoGP with the Aprilia Ipa team in 1994, which had dominated the European Championship, ending the year first and second, before graduating to the World Championship scene.

They remained teammates for the next two years, before going there separate ways in different classes. The team hope that the wealth of experience gathered during those years will prove more than a match for the teenagers currently moving into 125cc MotoGP racing.

Alexander Tartarini: "With the signing of Stefano we have closed the circle. We are truly satisfied that Perugini and Scalvini believe in our plan, and we will give them the maximum support necessary to be victorious."

Perugini, who finished fifth in the 250cc World Championship in ' 99, returns refreshed after a year away from the MotoGP scene, and is confident of success next year.

"After a year of deserved rest, I return to the knife edge of the World Championship with a desire to win. To be supported from a Manufacturer who aims to carry me to the top to podium stimulates me a lot," he said.

Technical director Jorge M?eller added, "The Team are happy and calm because we now have two fast and experienced riders. For Perugini, a year of absence from the track will not be a problem because he has a natural talent and it will always come to the fore."

Leon Haslem, who rode for the team last year, is believed to be pursuing a 500cc GP ride next year with the privateer Sabre Sport team. His ex-teammate Jaroslav Hules quite the Italjet team two races before the end of the year, and is also looking for a 500cc ride.