Promises and photo opportunities were the themes of the day for Ducati’s recent press conference to kick off the upcoming motorcycle racing season.

The 2011 Wroom Ducati event at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy was also the first official press conference with Valentino Rossi with his new team.

Team members we photographed on the Italian slopes, in front of the Ducati motorcycles designed for the upcoming racing season and in fully sponsored apparel. Speaking of sponsors, the Wroom event was also used to announce the latest sponsor to Ducati’s racing team, Italian fashion company Diesel.

During the press conference both Rossi and teammate Nicky Hayden touched on a variety of topics in response to the questions from the audience, composed of Italian and international journalists from all over the world. With a special amount of attention being given to Rossi over his physical condition following his shoulder operation last November, the winning rider also had an opportunity to give his first impressions of the Desmosedici GP11.

“Honestly, I had hoped to be a little better by this time,” Valentino said in response to the first question, “but instead, it’s going to be quite a race to have decent fitness in time for the first test. My recovery is exactly on schedule, but it's long: we’re working hard to at least recover mobility in my shoulder, which I’ll need to ride the bike well and to be able to fit behind the windscreen.”

Being honest with the room full of reporters Rossi set the expectations he wouldn’t be in top form for the first test in Malaysia, but hoped to be able to have a good seating position.

“The doctors assured me that the shoulder will return to 100% in a few months,” he explained, “Obviously, it would’ve been better to be in shape now, because we’ve got a lot of work to do and not much time to do it: three tests before the championship to make the Desmosedici not only very fast—it already is—but also a little easier to ride. We’ll have to meet each other halfway: make the bike like I like, and as for me, adapt my riding style a little to try and make the most of the bike.”

Hayden spoke as a rider who has integrated perfectly with the Italian team.

“This is my third year with Ducati," Nicky said. "The start was a little bit difficult, but it’s gotten better and better since I’ve been on this team and on this bike. We’ve grown a lot, the bike has improved, and my relationship with the team has improved.”

Looking back on what he though was a big step in his second year, Hayden looked forward to 2011.

“We know we have a good bike,” Hayden noted, “We’ve made a couple of little tweaks for next year by adding some staff and a few engineers to help me. “

As for any rivalries, “I'm looking forward to having Valentino's information and feedback, Hayden said,”He's been around a long time and has a lot of experience. I think it’ll be fun.”