Image: Supplied.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team staged its team presentation event at Sepang this week, introducing its 2020 YZR-M1 alongside riders Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi.

The colour scheme of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP bike remains the same for 2020, the M1 also featuring subtle blue stripes that add a further dynamic to the sleek design.

“At the end of last season we were in decent shape, so I‘m really excited to start working again on our goal to get the title and as many wins as possible,” Vinales explained. “For sure, I‘m looking forward to riding my M1 again. The last time I rode it here in Malaysia was during the 2019 season and we won.

“It‘s a really positive memory and it also means we have a good starting point here in terms of set-up, so we should be able to get straight to work tomorrow on Day 1 of the Sepang Test. I‘ve used the winter months really well.

“I‘ve done a lot of physical training and riding to make sure my body and mind are in top shape. We need to work hard and be focused on our goal right from the start, so that‘s exactly what we‘ll do!”

Rossi added: “For some reason the winter months always seem a lot longer than the summer months during the MotoGP season – those seem to just fly by! Anyway, I‘m happy to be on track and to start riding again.

“I‘ve been able to relax during the stop and also do some fun riding events, but now it‘s time to get serious about 2020. I‘m very curious to see what steps we can make during the Sepang Test.

“For sure, Yamaha have prepared some new things for us to try, and anyway the first laps of the year on a MotoGP bike after the winter break are always a unique sensation – it‘s always something I really enjoy. For sure we have a lot of work ahead of us, but the team and I are ready for it.”

The squad will be in action today and this weekend at Sepang for the first official pre-season test.