First pics: Ducati Desmosedici GP11

The livery of the factory Ducati Desmosedicis ridden by Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden

DUCATI HAVE pulled away the cover to reveal the livery of the factory Desmosedici GP11 of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.

The 2011 Desmosedici retains the trademark scheme with red and white taken from the rudimentary Italian motorsports colour palette. But standing out is the number 46 GP11 that will be ridden by Valentino Rossi; featuring the luminous yellow that has become a stable career identity for the seven-time MotoGP champion.

In keeping with the slippery aerodynamics that have become the standard for Ducati's MotoGP racer, the side of the fairing features shark-like fins and maintains the aerofoils that were added to improve stability.

The Desmosedici, although lacking in wins compared to the Honda RCV, is one of the iconic machines of the MotoGP era and with the loss of the most successful Ducati rider in the premier class, Casey Stoner, Rossi and Hayden will want to maintain the Australian's winning feats into the new season.

Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden are scheduled to test the GP11 at Sepang from the 1st to the 3rd February.