Yamaha MotoGP starsౠ Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo played a starring role in the official unveiling of the new YZF-R1 at the EICMA show in Milan.

The Japanese factory had also called upon nine-time world champion Rossi to hel𒆙p them develop the new machine, with the Italian delighted by the end result.

"I want to say a great thank youꦰ for involving me in this important project to develop the new R1 for all the Yamaha riders," Rossi said at the unveiling. "It was great. I like a lot to work and improve the bike, especially because the target is to make the R1 as much as possible like the M1 - my favourite bike!

"I think we did a great job. The bike is fantastic. I rode it for the first time on the racetrack in ﷺa secret test last year. It was very funny and here is the result."

♚The new generation R1 will race in Superbike championships, with the Milwaukee team already suggesting it will run two for BSB in 2015, while the manufacturer is tipped to make a factory comeback in World Superbikes in 2016.

Yamaha describes the 199kg, 200-horsepower machine as being '🦋packed with MotoGP꧋ YZR-M1 technology', including a new crossplane ('big-bang') engine, short (1.4m) wheelbase chassis and high-tech electronics.

Electronic development is one of the crucial areas for factory MotoGP involvement aꦅnd the new R1 boasts, 'a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit that constantly senses chassis motion in 3D, creating controllability over traction, slides, front wheel lift, braking and launches'.

Lorenzo was present at the launch to unveil a special limited edition 'M' versiꦉon of the R1, 🐬including electronic Ohlins suspension and a data logger with GPS that allows for download and upload of new settings.

"This M version ✅gives even more than the normal R1," Lor💜enzo said. "This is the version for people that want the feeling and adrenaline that we feel. I would love to have this bike, even as a rider... It is unbelievable."

Rossi and Lorenzo will be back in MotoGP action at this weeken🏅d's Valencia finale, when they will battle to secure second in the world championship.

Meanwhile Honda is al💃so keen to link its MotoGP project to Superbike machinery, with world champion Marc Marquez and team-mate Dani Pedrosa present for the unveiling of a special street legal version of the RC213V, called the 'R𝓡C213V-S':

Unveiling my 2013 MotoGP World Champion bike in Milan, but in street version! Unbelieable!!! -- Marc M?rquez (@marcmarquez93)

Over at Aprilia, the factory looks set to race in its traditional red and black livery during its official 2015 MotoGP return, in partnership with the Gresini team:

Here it is. Aprilia Moto gp 2015 -- Official Piaggio UK (@PiaggioUK)