Yamaha reveals 2017 MotoGP challenger

The bike Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales will race this season was unveiled during a launch event at title sponsor Movistar's headquarters in Madrid on Thursday.

A new livery was also shown off, featuring a deeper shade of blue and more prominent Movistar branding.

The 2017 season marks Rossi's fifth in succession at Yamaha, the Italian having finished as runner-up in the standings in each of the last three seasons.

"The important thing will be to make good races and try always to be fast and competitive enough to fight for the victory," said Rossi.

"This is important, stay concentrated and be always strong. After that, for the championship you never know.

"We need to wait first races also to understand potential of the bike and potential of the rivals. The important thing to work to be strong every Sunday."

Speaking about Vinales joining the team to replace Ducati-bound Jorge Lorenzo, Rossi added: "In our team, I got used to having a strong teammate with Jorge.

"Maverick impressed me very much already from the first day. Essentially I prefer that he needed a little bit more time to go fast, but unfortunately for me he’s already very strong.

"I think that especially we can make a good job together to improve the bike and to try to bring the bike to the podium every week."

Vinales, who made his public debut in Yamaha colours at the launch, kicked off his partnership with the team by topping post-season testing at Valencia last November.

The Spaniard is also said to have impressed during private testing at Sepang later in the month.

"Last year when I was following the Yamaha I knew the bike was really fast," said Vinales.

"When I got on the Yamaha I just tried to ride like I know how to do, and the bike was really good. I was really fast, I was quite surprised that I could go so fast, just in a few days."

Rossi and Vinales will get their next chance to ride the 2017 Yamaha at the first official pre-season test of the year at Sepang, which kicks off on January 30.