Source: Supplied.

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team were the first in MotoGP to officially unveil their 2017 line-up and livery, with riders Valentino Rossi and new teammate Maverick Vinales getting the season into gear in Madrid on Thursday.

The Italian-based squad traveled to Telefónica headquarters in Spain in the last week of the winter break, before the first official MotoGP test of 2017 kicks off at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on 30 January.

In the last three seasons, Italian legend and nine-time world champion Rossi has been a title-contender, ending each year runner-up, and is now joined by a new face on the other side of the garage in 2013 Moto3 champion Vinales.

“After the winter break, the team launch is always a very exciting time for everybody, not only for us, the riders and the team, but also for the fans,” Rossi said. “Sincerely, I’m just as happy as they are to start the new season, I have missed riding my bike. The pre-season test in Sepang will be an interesting moment, we will get a good idea of our level and it’s also the first time I’ll get to take the YZR-M1 out on track in its 2017 colours.

“This is the fourth year that Movistar will be our team’s title sponsor. In the last three years, we enjoyed some fantastic battles and great results and this season the target remains the same – to be competitive again and fight for the victory in every race. I have a new strong teammate and I think we can have a lot of fun this season.”

Vinales commented: “After the test in Valencia and Malaysia I got off the bike feeling very happy because I was on the level I wanted to be at. The whole Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team can’t wait to start the season because we know we can be at a 100 percent level and compete at the front.

“Today we revealed the bike and it looks beautiful, I wish I could start riding it right now! When I was a kid, I used to watch Valentino riding his M1 and now I’m here at the team launch, it’s like a dream come true! I’m so happy and motivated and I’m ready to give it my all. I want to thank Yamaha, Movistar and of course the team. They have welcomed me very warmly, so it is a great start to the season already.

“Honestly speaking, I was quite surprised by the family-feel, because on the outside you see a very serious and professional team, but as soon as I went inside the box I felt incredible. I’m really pleased to be here, at Telefónica Headquarters in Madrid and thanks to everyone for coming to support us. It’s going to be a great year!”

Presenting the 2017 team were Izaskun Ruiz and MotoGP’s Dylan Gray, who welcomed Rossi and Viñales to the stage for a Q&A session. They were later joined by general manager of motorsports division and YMC MotoGP group leader Kouichi Tsuji, managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing Lin Jarvis and Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s team director Massimo Meregalli.

The ceremony saw the 2017 Yamaha YZR-M1 revealed in its new colours with a refreshed livery. As well as the new Movistar logo, the Blue Core logo is added as a new design element on the bike, while the deepened Yamaha blue gives the bike an updated finish.

Further revelations include the new Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team logo, with the Movistar ‘M’ in a more prominent role. The deepened collaboration between the two is also reflected in the YZR-M1’s 2017 livery, which features the new Movistar logo on either side of the fairing and the front of the bike.