Updated: Camel Yamaha launch in Milan.

The Camel Yamaha Team officially launched its 2006 MotoGP title defence today in Milan, when five-times champion Valentino Rossi and Texan team-mate Colin Edwards unveiled the full M1 livery for the first time.

An action packed ceremony, attended by Crash.net, began with six dancers (who had also performed at the recent winter olympics) being lowered - and then suspended - from the ceiling, all to the sound of rock music, before two on-stage dancers suddenly pulled the covers off the YZR-M1s present to reveal a race livery similar - but not identical - to that used during pre-season testing.

The main difference is that a 'retro' white number plate background now surrounds the '46' and '5' on the front of each bike, while slight graphical changes are also visible on the sides. "The bike looks wonderful," said Rossi of the machine. "The white numberplate reminds me of the 1970s." "I had the number 5 like this when we went 'old school' at Laguna, but (the bike) looks really good with Camel all over it," added Edwards, who celebrated his 32nd birthday today.

However, the most important changes have been made under the M1's skin: "We're still using the same concepts that we've had for the M1 since 2004 - a sweet engine and agile chassis - but now it's more sophisticated," said Yamaha technical director Masao Furusawa. "We've mainly been working on getting more RPM and an even more agile chassis for this year."

"Every year we changed or modified something within the team, but last year was the year we got everything right: We had all the right people in all the right places at the right time," reflected Yamaha racing director Lin Jarvis. "We were very sucesful to bring home three titles last year and so having Valentino, Colin and all of our team stay together for 2006 is just perfect."

Rossi and Edwards both stated that they are happy with the performance of the new M1 during testing - Edwards even saying it's ready to race now - and are sure that it is further ahead than the 2005 bike at this stage of the year, but Vale confirmed that chatter remains an issue.

"We still have a few lingering problems with vibration," said the Italian. "I think it is mainly from the tyres and are working hard with Michelin to fix this before the first race." Later, Rossi was asked if the vibrations could in fact be caused by the 'Camel humps' painted on the side of his bike? "We have talked about this," smiled The Doctor, "maybe we should ride with a different fairing and see!"

Meanwhile, Rossi faced several questions regarding his MotoGP future and his Ferrari F1 tests - as usual he gave little away as to his intentions, but did state firmly that there was no deadline for when he needs to make a decision about 2007.

Jarvis had earlier explained that Yamaha were happy for Rossi to do F1 tests because he is "one of the world's greatest sportsmen and, like all great sportsmen, he will always look for a more extreme challenge" but also declared that Yamaha would do all they could to keep him in MotoGP next year.

More reaction from the Camel Yamaha launch will appear on Crash.net throughout this week...