Ducati MotoGP newboy Jorge Lorenzo believes podiums will be possible with the 2017 Desmoedici but stopped short of saying he could win the title first time out.

Lorenzo was speaking during today’s team launch at the firm’s Borgo Panigale headquarters in his first public appearance wearing red and white team colours.

“My first impressions of the bike were very positive, especially when you take into account I have been previously working with the same bike and the same team, so it was a bit of a shock. But the truth is, it was a major and positive change. The stability of this bike is incredible and the rideability is unparalleled,” Lorenzo gushed.

“It’s so powerful and looks like a nervous bike but it isn’t, it’s so easy to control in straights and corners, so that was a big surprise. When you have been lucky enough to be world champion, the only thing you want to do is to repeat it but it is difficult as we have plenty of new riders, so what I need is talent, magic and method to keep improving, and I think we will be able to get to the podium.”