With a whole new showroom model for KRT to base its race efforts around this year, in what is the most prestigious production-derived championship in the world, the anticipation of seeing the final livery and technical specification of the class-leading KRT Ninja ZX-10R has never been higher. The first public look at the new colour scheme of the machine is always a high point of the presentation, with the 2016 graphics package including prominent logos from top partners Motocard, Elf Total and Monster Energy.

Add in the fact that both KRT riders have achieved World Championship status using the previous incarnation of the Ninja family – Tom Sykes in 2013 and Jonathan Rea last year – and the attention of the racing world is sure to be focused on the launch, which will take place at 20.00 CET on Thursday evening, in Barcelona.

Jonathan Rea, the reigning world champion, stated: “It is great that the team organise such an event to officially launch the 2016 racing program. I was involved in a pre-event photo shoot last week, after the Motorland Aragon test sessions. The new bike looks great and it is quite different to last year. I think everybody will be really impressed with it. The launch is well organised and it shows that it is done by a factory team. I believe there will be Dorna representatives, TV representatives plus other media there on the night, which is really cool.”

Tom Sykes, stated: “I am really looking forward to the launch now, and it is always a great event. Doing it in Barcelona is a good way to go about it. We have had some fantastic form in winter testing on the new bike. We have shown great speed and it has come without pushing, so I am happy. It is fitting to do the launch at this point, as we are ready for the start of the season now. Everything is in place so I am really excited and motivated.”

Attendance at the launch itself will be by invitation only but it will also be live streamed, following the links outlined below.

YouTube: Kawasaki Racing Team launch live stream

Microsite: Kawasaki Racing Team launch