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The opening day of MotoGP testing in Sepang, Malaysia, saw reigning champion Valentino Rossi pull on Camel colours for the first time.

Looking at Rossi's back in yellow leathers must have made a nice change for the rest of the field as the little Italian resumed normal service by clocking the day's fastest time.

Piloting the 2006-spec YZR-M1s Rossi completed 74 laps for the Camel Yamaha Team, which was debuting its new livery after an acrimonious split with Gauloises during the winter.

"Today everything has felt good right from the start and I am already quite fast. The new M1 is a good bike, I like it and I can see that Yamaha has worked very hard over the winter," explained Rossi.

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With the start of the season just two months away Rossi believes that while there are no major differences between the new bike and 2005's model he still needs more time in the saddle.

"I have to get more confidence in it, then we can begin to make the modifications needed in order to improve it," said Rossi.

Among those chasing Rossi as he improves will be Honda rider Marco Melandri who set impressive times himself on Monday.

"This morning I lapped to recover the rhythm after the winter pause. Then I concentrated on the bike setting and finally I could make some tyre testing. I'm happy with the feeling of the bike and I like the bike. I'm quite confident", said Melandri, whose fastest lap was right behind Rossi's time.