VALENTINO ROSSI faces two major tasks in 2006 - retaining the MotoGP Championship for a sixth consecutive year and perfecting Yamaha's new 800cc title challenger.

The new bike will come into play in 2007 when engine size limitations will outlaw the existing 996cc MotoGP machines.

Yamaha wants to retain the 26-year-old Italian to guide them into the new era as team leader.

"Working on the development of the new bike and competing in more than 20 Championship rounds means I will be spending a lot of time on racing bikes," said Rossi.

"I will have no time for testing with the Ferrari F1 team. I have done a little work with them this year, which I enjoyed, but bike racing is more important to me."

Rossi failed by a second to make pole for today's Japanese title round at Motegi. Running on qualifying tyres left him 11th.

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