McCoy then moved to the
Red Bull Yamaha team in 1999, taking his first premier-class podium at Valencia, but it would be the 2000 season which would prove most memorable.
With dominating countryman Mick Doohan having retired due to injury, the class was thrown open and although
Kenny Roberts Jr would win the world crown - chased all the way by a certain
Valentino Rossi - McCoy also starred, winning three races and taking a further three podiums to finish the year fifth overall.
However, McCoy's fortunes began to 'slide' after that season, and although 2001 would bring three more podiums, a leg breaking accident in pre-season testing for 2002 effectively ended his hopes for further premier-class glory.
Garry finished that year 19th as the new four-strokes ruled the season, and left Red Bull Yamaha to join the factory Kawasaki team for 2003. He would claim a best result of ninth in this year's wet/dry French Grand Prix - the ZX-RR's best finish to date - on his way to a meagre 19th in the championship.
Team-mate Pitt has also been left out of ride, after Kawasaki signed
Shinya Nakano to join Hofmann in 2004, and is believed to be also chasing a Superbike ride.
