Cape Town - The unveiling of the Ducati MotoGP teams new Desmosedici GP, is being presented live from Bologna, Italy.
For the 2017 season, triple world champion Jorge Lorenzo joins Ducati after ending his nine-year stay in the Yamaha camp.
The Lorenzo effect
Ducati has not won a world title since 2007, when a 21-year-old Casey Stoner beat Rossi to the championship. This year, the team will be looking to end the season on top with the new edition of Lorenzo.
Ducati has opted to keep Andrea Dovizioso, winner of the 2016 Malaysian GP, instead of Andrea Iannone - the latter joining Suzuki.
Ducati, one of the noticeable teams who have spent a lot of time and money on aerodynamics, will have to do without the 'wings' their bikes have become known for. For the 2017 season, MotoGP banned all wing-related technology and this could yet prove to be a challenge for the Italian team.
Earlier in January Movistar Yamaha unveiled of their new 2017 challengers, as well as a formal introduction of their new rider Maverick Vinales. Vinales will be partnered with seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi.
Watch the live presentation below:
Gigi Dall'inga, general manager: "We wanted to make sure the new bike did not have an issue we might have to get rid off during the season."
Dall'inga: "2016 ended in a very positive way, we managed to win two races. Interesting, challenging, beautiful year."
Dall'inga: "We havent neglected any single area - on the new bike. And we have our two heroes, Lorenzo and Dovizioso."
Dall'inga: "The only thing we have to do is win the world championship and this is one of the reasons we hired Lorenzo."
Dall'inga: "Dovizioso said he wants to finish the job after being with us for four years. He is a great person and I'm sure he can get to the top. We have no excuse for not winning the world championship."
Paolo Ciabatti, sporting director: "Racing is in the DNA of this company, everyone lives a life based on racing."
Ciabatti: "Andrea is one of the pillars, he now knows he can fight to get to the podium in every single race. Yesterday was Jorge's first day here, there has been a great support."
Davide Tardozzi, team manager: "They had an incredible team spirit, they both have worked with Gigi to keep improving positive about tests. We started testing the new bike at the end of 2016, at Sepang we'll test again."
Ducati adds that Casey Stoner will again be a part of the development of the new bike and the team will look to capatalise on his expertise.
Dovizioso: "Further improvements to the bike can be expected after the Sepang test. I met Lorenzo when we were very young, we used to cry when we didn't win."
Lorenzo: "I am a little more nervous than in my races, it is a big day for me. I didn't expect all the passion and love people have showed me. Some people have told me welcome to the family, something you can only experience here. Very positive impression of the new bike, it was a big, major, positive change. The rideabilitiy is unparalleled, the power is incredible.
"I'm so proud to be apart of this family. I will try to make this team stronger as racer and rider, I'm sure there will be many more emotions to come. Very positive impressions. It was a big, positive change."
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