The first launch of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign has happened with a spectacular party in Cherasco, Italy, for the Team GoEleven squad as they unveiled their 2023 colours on a hybrid of 2022-23 Ducati Panigale V4 R models. Sticking with the revised livery from last year, the team unveiled a light blue and white base colour scheme for rider Philipp Oettl to compete on in 2023 as he embarks on his second season in WorldSBK after an impressive rookie campaign.

The bike on display was a mix of the 2022 and 2023 Panigale V4 R models, with Ducati bringing out a new model for this year. With the Independent team not yet receiving all the changes, they presented a mix of models with their 2023 livery. Changes included the exhaust, tank, seat and aerodynamic appendages on the bike on display while the team are aiming to have the full upgrades when they head to winter testing at Jerez next week.

The event in Italy, which took place on Saturday, had more than 250 people including 11-time WorldSBK race winner Ruben Xaus, with guests able to enjoy entertainment provided by Disco Club Paradise, a band who competed in an Italian singing competition on TV last year. With the entertainment provided, guests at the party were able to get up close and personal with the Ducati Panigale V4 R dressed in GoEleven’s blue-and-white livery.

Discussing the team launch, Team Owner Giovanni Ramello said: “What a party! After all these years of Covid, it was nice to come back to fill the whole Palaexpo of Cherasco with lots of friends, sponsors, insiders and obviously with our team. Every year we always try to find something new so as not to get bored those present, and this year we also had the Disco Club Paradiso, an X Factor band, who made us dance and have fun. Organising this type of event is always complicated and requires a considerable effort, both in terms of time and work, but the result was incredible. I still want to thank all those who made the evening possible, the municipal administration and our suppliers. Now we can't wait to get on track in a few days in the first tests, so as to compare ourselves to our opponents and have an initial idea of the season, even if what matters most during tests is the work of developing the bike and the rider's feeling on the Ducati Panigale V4 R.”

Rider Oettl, aiming to push on from his seven top-10 finishes from last year, added: “The team presentation was great! It was the first time I experienced the real GoEleven gala, last year it was much smaller due to Covid restrictions. I really enjoyed it, I had good times with the mechanics, with the sponsors, with all fans. I saw, almost, the new 2023 bike, I really like it. The design is not really different compared to last year, but there are many new parts! Now I am looking forward the first pre-season test. The winter break was short, I did some training with my personal bike, too, but I can't wait to ride my Superbike and work back together with all my team!”

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