To me, it is better to put the transition codes with the original/minimum selectors than with the :hover or any other additional selectors:
#content #nav a {_x000D_
background-color: #FF0;_x000D_
_x000D_
-webkit-transition: background-color 1000ms linear;_x000D_
-moz-transition: background-color 1000ms linear;_x000D_
-o-transition: background-color 1000ms linear;_x000D_
-ms-transition: background-color 1000ms linear;_x000D_
transition: background-color 1000ms linear;_x000D_
}_x000D_
_x000D_
#content #nav a:hover {_x000D_
background-color: #AD310B;_x000D_
}
_x000D_
<div id="content">_x000D_
<div id="nav">_x000D_
<a href="#link1">Link 1</a>_x000D_
</div>_x000D_
</div>
_x000D_