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Yamaha Factory Racing has shown off its new-look Monster-backed YZR-M1s for the 2019 MotoGP season.
The energy drink brand has moved its naming rights back from now ex-Yamaha satellite team Tech3 to the factory outfit under a multi-year agreement.
Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales will therefore ride predominantly black motorcycles, although still featuring Yamaha’s trademark blue.
“I like very much (the livery),” said Rossi, who already counted Monster Energy as a personal backer.
“Yamaha is always blue, and the blue of the Yamaha is beautiful, but I like the black of Monster because (the combination matches) the colour of my soccer team, Inter (Milan), so I feel comfortable.”
Rossi continues with #46 this year while Viñales switches from #25 to #12.
They finished 2018 in third and fourth in the standings, respectively, with Viñales scoring Yamaha’s sole race win at Phillip Island.
