WSBK Italy: Zhang Xue Racing Finishes Ninth in Race 2

Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Zhang Xue Racing secured ninth place in the WorldSSP Race 2 at the 2026 WSBK Emilia-Romagna round, with French rider Valentin Debise showcasing the brand's growing competitiveness on the international stage.

The 2026 World Superbike Championship (WSBK) Emilia-Romagna round concluded on June 14 at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. In the highly competitive WorldSSP class Race 2, Chinese manufacturer Zhang Xue Racing's French rider Valentin Debise finished ninth, marking another milestone for Chinese-made motorcycles in top-tier international racing. The Misano circuit, known for its fast corners and undulating surface, poses significant challenges for both bike handling and rider endurance. Zhang Xue Racing, making its WSBK debut this season, has been progressively refining its self-developed engine and chassis system. The team's performance has shown steady improvement over the past rounds. Race 2 started at 3:00 PM local time, with 18 laps scheduled. Debise, starting from 12th on the grid, made a solid start and quickly moved up to 10th. Mid-race, he faced intense pressure from Honda and Yamaha riders but held his ground with precise cornering and consistent pace. On lap 15, Debise capitalized on a rival's mistake to move into ninth place, which he maintained until the checkered flag. After the race, Debise commented: "Today was tough, but the bike surprised me. We made progress in setup, especially in braking stability and corner exit acceleration. Ninth is a good start; we'll keep pushing for a top-eight finish next time." Zhang Xue Racing's team manager noted that this is the team's debut season in WSBK, with the primary goal of accumulating data and optimizing performance. Over the two races in Italy, Debise finished 11th and 9th, showing an upward trend. The team plans to introduce a new aerodynamic package at the next round in the Netherlands to improve top speed. The WorldSSP class, while being the support category to WSBK, is fiercely competitive. The race was won by Turkish rider Can Özgür on a Kawasaki, who dominated from start to finish. As the only Chinese manufacturer in the championship, Zhang Xue Racing's every step forward attracts significant attention from fans back home. On social media, many Chinese netizens congratulated Debise and expressed hope for a future podium. From a broader perspective, Zhang Xue Racing's participation in WSBK not only enhances the brand's international visibility but also provides a real-world platform for technological advancement in China's motorcycle industry. By competing alongside top global teams, Chinese manufacturers can accelerate their understanding of high-performance motorcycle development and narrow the gap with world leaders. The ninth-place finish in Italy, while not spectacular, represents a solid foundation for future growth.

WSBK Italy: Zhang Xue Racing Finishes Ninth in Race 2

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