Valentin Debise and his No. 53 motocycle Photo/provided to NBD

On March 29 at the Portimão circuit in Portugal, 34-year-old Valentin Debise rode his No. 53 machine with composure and control in the closing laps. Crossing the finish line with a 3.685-second lead, he secured victory in Round 2 of the World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP), completing a stunning double win over the weekend.

Once sidelined from mainstream racing, the French veteran has now silenced doubts and reached the peak of his career in its later stage.

Behind this breakthrough stands an unexpected force—a rising Chinese motorcycle brand, ZXMOTO, and its 820RR-RS.

The victory not only triggered a surge in orders for the manufacturer, but also brought Debise widespread attention among Chinese fans.

In an exclusive interview with National Business Daily (NBD) on April 1, Debise emphasized，“A great rider, a great bike, and a great team—if any one of these is missing, you cannot win.”

“One Sentence from Zhang Xue Convinced Me”

Valentin Debise Photo/provided to NBD

NBD: Why did you decide to join ZXMOTO?

Valentin Debise: Two years ago, I rode for Evan Bros. I always wanted to return after leaving last year. When I heard the team would partner with a Chinese manufacturer, I immediately researched the brand and its founder.

They shipped the bike to Italy, and I watched the team dismantle the engine and inspect every component. At that moment, I realized—this was not a brand here for fun. They were serious.

NBD: What ultimately convinced you?

Valentin Debise: One sentence from Zhang Xue, founder of ZXMOTO: “You are the best team in the paddock. I will only work with you—otherwise, I won’t race.”

That’s when I knew I had to be part of this project.

NBD: Why not choose a traditional top team?

Valentin Debise: I wanted to return to Evan Bros, and they chose ZXMOTO. After my research and seeing the bike, I believed it had championship potential.

I was willing to take the risk and grow with a new brand. In the end, we proved that decision was right.

NBD: What is your impression of Zhang Xue?

Valentin Debise: He’s friendly and humorous. At Phillip Island, we spent a full week together.

At first, I didn’t fully understand their slogan, “Ultimate Passion.” Now I do. His passion is genuine.

When I qualified in the top three, he was celebrating trackside like a child. That moment made me proud—to race for someone like him. Experiences like this happen maybe once in a lifetime.

“Like Fish in Water” — Rider and Machine in Perfect Sync

Valentin Debise steps onto the podium Photo/provided to NBD

NBD: How would you describe your relationship with the 820RR-RS?

Valentin Debise: Like a friend and partner. From the first ride, it felt natural—like fish in water.

The feedback is excellent: smooth shifting, stable braking. During the first test, we had zero issues.

NBD: Do you remember your first ride?

Valentin Debise: Yes, on a small track in Italy. I immediately felt its potential.

We checked every component—gearbox, clutch—everything worked perfectly. The build quality from the Chinese team impressed me.

NBD: How does it compare to bikes like the Yamaha R1 or Triumph 675?

Valentin Debise: The R1 is a superbike, so it’s not directly comparable.

This is my first inline-three machine. The power delivery is strong, acceleration is sharp, and the sound is unique—you have to hear it at the track.

The only area for improvement is tire grip—but it’s a minor detail and didn’t affect our victory.

NBD: When did you feel fully in sync with the bike?

Valentin Debise: At the final test in Spain before the Australia round. I was sick and only did a few laps, but I told the team I could deliver strong results.

Then I qualified third in Australia—everyone was surprised. That’s when I knew we had perfect synergy.

NBD: How was the coordination during the Portugal race?

Valentin Debise: Again, it comes down to three things: rider, bike, and team.

I performed well, but without a nearly perfect machine, I couldn’t have pushed to the limit.

“Chinese Motorcycles Will Soon Go Global”

Valentin Debise's No. 53 motocycle Photo/provided to NBD

NBD: The 820RR-RS weighs only 168 kg. How does that help?

Valentin Debise: The race version is even lighter. Reduced weight improves handling and agility—that’s a huge advantage.

NBD: How do you evaluate Chinese manufacturing?

Valentin Debise: I’ve been impressed for over 10 years. Chinese motorcycles improve every year.

ZXMOTO represents a leap forward. With the ambition to build world-class bikes, they’ve achieved a top-level product.

Three words: impressive, evolving, and full of potential.

I have no doubt—Chinese motorcycles will soon become popular worldwide.

NBD: What do you think of Chinese brands entering WorldSSP?

Valentin Debise: Many brands progress step by step. What’s unique here is that ZXMOTO jumped to a high-performance level immediately.

That’s rare. I feel honored to be part of something different.

“I Want to Continue This Journey”

Valentin Debise and his No. 53 motocycle Photo/provided to NBD

NBD: At 34, do you consider yourself a veteran? How long will you keep racing?

Valentin Debise: 34 isn’t old—but I have experience.

Compared to younger riders, I’m still competitive, maybe even stronger in some ways. I live a disciplined lifestyle—no smoking, no alcohol—just to extend my career.

As long as I keep improving, I will continue racing.

NBD: Will you stay with ZXMOTO?

Valentin Debise: My contract covers this and next year. Beyond that depends on opportunities.

If I perform well and the brand wants to continue, I would love to keep working together and aim higher.

NBD: Any message to your Chinese fans?

Valentin Debise: Honestly, I can’t imagine how many people in China know me.

But I’ve received many messages on Instagram and YouTube. I feel proud.

I don’t speak Chinese yet, but I want to say thank you to all my fans. I hope to visit China soon and learn the language.

If I can help more people trust this brand—and even buy their motorcycles—that would make me very happy.