PICTURE GALLERY: Castrol Honda WSBK team launch

Castrol and Honda - one of the most iconic partnerships in the history of motorbike racing - are back together in 2011 following the launch of the Castrol Honda World Superbike Championship effort, and we have all the pictures for your enjoyment right here on Crash.net.

An association stretching back more than half a century and with its origins in road racing and the legendary TT, the last time Castrol appeared as Honda's title sponsor in WSBK, it resulted in three riders' crowns - for John Kocinski in 1997 and then fellow American Colin Edwards in both 2000 and 2002.

Now, following the renaming of the Dutch Ten Kate operation, the two companies have once more renewed acquaintance, and Ulsterman Jonathan Rea and Spaniard Ruben Xaus hope the latest incarnation of a spectacularly successful relationship will yield similar glories.

We attended the official team launch at the impressive Castrol Technology Centre in Berkshire, and aside from exclusive interviews with Rea, Xaus and team principal Ronald ten Kate - keep checking back during the week to read them all - we have an extensive collection of shots of the riders, management and of course, most importantly, the newly-liveried CBR1000RR Fireblade taken by our Crash.net photographer, Ian Hopgood.

Simply click here to take a look!