Biaggi started 2001 with a run of up-and-down results but a change to the set-up of his YZR500 put him right on the pace from round four. By the mid-season break he was the fastest-scoring rider, taking wins at the French, Dutch and German GPs to close to within ten points of arch-rival Valentino Rossi (Honda). The second half of the year turned out to be altogether tougher and three tumbles dented his title challenge. Nevertheless, Biaggi ended the year a strong second overall, having scored nine podium finishes and no less than seven poles. Away from the GPs he took time out to aid development of Yamaha's YZR-M1 four-stroke GP bike, the all-new 200 horsepower machine with which he goes for the first-ever MotoGP World Championship.