Effenbert Liberty Ducati unveiled their 2012 World Superbike and European Superstock line-ups in the ski resort of Sestriere this weekend and had Ducati head honcho Ernesto Marinelli on hand to introduce the new Panigale.

The WSBK team comprises last year's pairing Jakub Smrz and former BSB star Sylvain Guintoli and they will be joined by Frenchman Maxime Berger. The trio will use the 1198R with upgraded work Ohlins forks while Federico Sandi and Canadian Brett McCormick get to use the 1199 Panigale in Superstock trim.

Guintoli, resplendent in his 2012 leathers and with the help of the local police, performed a mock grid line up in the middle of the town.

"I’m very satisfied with the enthusiastic cooperation of our team. This opportunity was enough to show the motivation of the team and the riders, who are going to have our full support," said team manager Fabio Alberti.

Marinelli concluded: “I’m very happy to see that the team is growing. Now, they have two riders in Superstock and it’s an important class for us because it’s more close to the production motorcycle. On one hand, there are many differences between the new Ducati and the old one, on the other hand there are very few.

"Many from the technological point of view, we installed in this new bike all the highest technology that we’ve learnt from racing over the past five years. The similarities? It’s still a Ducati. We wanted to keep the familiar feeling, the characteristics and the feedback that the bike gives to the rider, of course with the emphasis on performance, lightness and beauty.”