Marini, Bastianini launch 2021 Avintia MotoGP campaign

Avintia has officially presented its new all-rookie MotoGP line-up of Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini, during an online team launch broadcast via Instagram on Friday evening.

While continuing with Ducati machinery for an eighth season, Avintia will have a divided livery in 2021 with Valentino Rossi's younger brother Marini remaining in Sky colours and being overseen by VR46 within the Avintia structure.

Reigning Moto2 champion Bastianini looks set to race for 'Avintia Esponsorama' with title runner-up Marini competing under the 'Sky VR46 Avintia' banner (similar to the split Castrol/Idemitsu title sponsorships at LCR).

"I can’t wait to start this new season with the Sky VR46 Avintia," Marini said. "It’s been hard to wait all these months without being able to try my new Ducati at the end of November as in a normal season. I’ve spent all winter thinking about what the first day of testing would be like. With the support of the Academy, I am training extremely hard to be physically and mentally ready.

"There will be many things to learn and discover, I will work focused to grow up and adapt to the new category as quick as possible and get results that are getting better and better. Although at the same time I want to enjoy my first year at MotoGP: It will be a special moment in my life.

"I would like to thank Ducati and Sky Racing Team VR46 for their trust, and to be able to restore it with my potential, hoping that our relationship will develop in the best way for the next years.”

Marini's Desmosedici, first unveiled on Italian TV last December, continues in the now familiar Sky VR46 colours, but Bastianini's MotoGP livery hadn't been revealed until this evening in Andorra.

Like the team's Moto3 riders Niccolo Antonelli and Carlos Tatay, plus MotoE competitors Xavi Cardelus and Andre Pires, Bastianini will race in bright blue and yellow colours, with large (white) 'Avintia' branding on either side of the fairings.

“I still couldn’t say that I hope this 2021 season, is a huge change with a whole new bike for me," Bastianini said. "I’d like to be fast, but obviously I’ll have to grow along the year. The first races will not be easy, although I hope I can get good results as soon as possible. I honestly can’t wait to get start the season! I would like to thank Ducati and Avintia Esponsorama Team for the trust and support."

While their bikes will look different, both Bastianini and Marini will be using GP19-based machines. All other Ducati riders will be powered by the GP20 engine, which cannot be updated for 2021 due to the special Covid technical freeze.

Bastianini and Marini are due to their MotoGP debuts at the start of the Qatar shakedown test, on March 5.

The pair, along with fellow rookie Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) will then have just six days of track time to prepare for their premier-class race debut, also set for Qatar, on March 28.

Johann Zarco (below) gave Avintia its first MotoGP podium and pole position on his way to 13th in last year's world championship.

The Frenchman is joining Pramac Ducati for 2021 while former Avintia team-mate Tito Rabat is switching to WorldSBK after finishing just 22nd in last year's standings.

The next online MotoGP launch will be by the Official Ducati Team (Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia) on February 9.