MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner is in Italy to launch Ducati's new bike for the 2008 season

He was joined on the slopes by his new team-mate, Italy's Marco Melandri, who preferred to show off his snowboard skills

Stoner and Melandri unveil Desmosedici GP8, the bike which Ducati hope will help them retain the constructors' title

Ducati say their new bike is an evolution of the 2007 model and has a new lighter frame

The Madonna di Campiglio resort in Trentino, Italy, provides a stunning backdrop for Ducati's launch party

Melandri has joined Ducati after a successful spell at rivals Honda and has a great pedigree in MotoGP

Stoner will be under huge pressure to retain his title from five-time world champion Valentino Rossi