The natural excitement for the 2001 500cc MotorGP World Championship featured 4 Yamaha groups entering a total of 8 machines. The Yamaha YZR 500 '01 had undergone many modifications through the previous year. These alterations were made to enhance rider feel, self-confidence, and rideability, and enabled crisper throttle response in sluggish corners, which encouraged the driver to accelerate much harder and earlier in the day, one of many YZR500's stronger traits. The largest modification on look of 2001 model was the new carbon-fiber bodywork, that will be built to offer more stability at greater rates. The cyclists the two bikes entered by the Factory Yamaha team had been Massimiliano "Max" Biaggi, nicknamed "The Roman Emperor," and teammate Carlos Checa "El Toro." M. Biaggi secured their very first victory at French Grand Prix with C. Checa coming in second. Biaggi later on proceeded to simply take Round 7, the Dutch TT and Round 9, the German Grand Prix.
