Provisional 2004 250cc entry list.

The FIM has today announced the provisional entry list for the 2004 250cc world championship.

The list confirms that Manuel Poggiali will defend his 2003 title on a #54 Aprilia - with 125cc star Alex de Angelis as his team-mate.

Poggiali is likely to face opposition from the likes of Roberto Rolfo, Randy de Puniet, Toni Elias (on a Fortuna Honda) and perhaps reigning 125cc world champion Dani Pedrosa - stated as riding a familiar looking Telefonica Movistar Honda.

The recovering Pedrosa will be joined in Alberto Puig's team by wild-card - and Honda favourite - Hiroshi Aoyama, who gets the full time GP ride countryman Yuki Takahashi had been predicted to receive.

Rising star Chaz Davies retains his seat with Aprilia Germany, where he will be joined by Johan Stigefelt.

Provisional 2004 250cc entry list:

#2Robby RolfoITA HondaFortuna Honda
#5Sebastian PortoARG ApriliaRepsol - Aspar Team
#6Alex DebonSPA HondaTroll Honda BQR
#7Randy de PunietFRA ApriliaLCR
#8Naoki MatsudoJPN YamahaYamaha Kurz
#9Hugo MarchandFRA Aprilia Zoppini Abruzzo
#10Alfonso NietoSPA ApriliaRepsol - Aspar Team
#11Joan OliveSPA ApriliaCampetella
#14Anthony WestAUS ApriliaTeam Zoppini Abruzzo
#15Christian GemmelGER HondaKiefer Castrol - Honda Racing
#16Johan StiegefeltSWE Aprilia Aprilia Germany
#24Toni Elias SPA HondaFortuna Honda
#26Daniel PedrosaSPA HondaTelefonica Movistar Junior Team
#33Hector FaubelSPA Aprilia Aspar Junior Team
#34Eric BatailleFRA HondaTroll Honda BQR
#50Sylvain GuintoliFRA Aprilia Campetella
#51Alex de AngelisRSM Aprilia Aprilia Racing
#54Manuel PoggialiRSM Aprilia Aprilia Racing
#57Chaz DaviesGBR Aprilia Aprilia Germany
#73Hiroshi AoyamaJPN HondaTelefonica Movistar Junior Team
#96Jakub SmrzCZE HondaArie Molenaar Racing