The Ducati prototype which Valentino Rossi will ride during the 2011 MotoGP season was officially presented on Wednesday, with the Italian’s own individual touch added.

Valentino Rossi’s inauguration as an official Ducati rider took a further step at Madonna di Campiglio on Wednesday, when along with team-mate Nicky Hayden he was on hand to unveil the Desmosedici GP11 that both with ride in the 2011 MotoGP World Championship.

Complete in the individualised fairings that each rider will display this season, Rossi’s machine – personalised by Aldo Drudi – had hints of the Italian’s famous yellow, as the prototype was revealed for the first time.

The man behind the design of the GP11, Filippo Preziosi, was present at a press conference to describe the major characteristics of the machine as he detailed the features that include new aerodynamics, changes to engine torque, the stiffness of the chassis and revised electronics. “The aerodynamics are completely different, and the features are those we tested at Valencia (in November) upon which we will base the evolution of the bike,” said Preziosi, who also spoke to motogp.com after the press conference to explain the main changes to the prototype.


Also in attendance was Ducati General Manager Claudio Domenicali, who said: “2011 will be a year of great change. It will be the start of the third phase of our presence in MotoGP, a historic moment. To have Valentino in the team is a new aspect. Everybody knows what Valentino is capable of in terms of giving feedback for improving the bike and furthering the capacity of our project.”