BERLIN, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese motorcycle manufacturer ZXMOTO has sparked a wave of excitement across Chinese social media after securing a historic double victory at the Superbike World Championship (WSBK) last weekend in Portugal, in what many netizens see not only as a breakthrough moment for Chinese high-end manufacturing, but also as an underdog story worthy of a film script.
Chinese motorcycles are displayed at a shop in Istanbul, Türkiye, on May 16, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)
Brand founder and owner Zhang Xue was overwhelmed with emotion as he watched the races. In a post on social media after the win, he wrote: "You do something not for the result, but because of passion. And sometimes passion brings a different result."
At the Portimao circuit, French rider Valentin Debise, racing on a ZXMOTO machine, won both Race 1 and Race 2 in the World SSP category, which runs as a support class to WSBK.
Widely regarded as one of the world's top production-based motorcycle racing series, the WSBK has long been dominated by established European and Japanese brands such as Ducati and Yamaha. ZXMOTO's success therefore marked a rare moment for a Chinese motorcycle maker on the top of the podium.
The first victory came on March 28, when Debise rode ZXMOTO's 820RR-RS to win Race 1 of the Portuguese round by nearly four seconds. He then returned the following day to claim Race 2, completing a double triumph. The team's strong straight-line speed was especially noted by fans and commentators.
What added to the surprise was the price gap of the motorcycles. ZXMOTO's 820RR is priced at just over 40,000 yuan (6,000 U.S. dollars), while Ducati and Yamaha motorcycles competing in the same arena sell for several times that amount. Many Chinese netizens, as well as motorcycle enthusiasts in overseas markets, noted this was evidence of China's manufacturing strength.
User "Qing Wa" posted on social media:"Seeing Zhang Xue's motorcycle dominate the WSBK race with an absolute margin of nearly four seconds over powerhouses like Yamaha and Ducati is truly exhilarating!
"This is more than just a victory. It reflects years of dedication by Chinese manufacturing brands and their rise on the international stage."
The victories quickly became a trending topic on Chinese social media among motorcycling fans, where race footage and scenes of celebration were widely shared.
"We have witnessed history! We watched the race together at ZXMOTO's Qingcheng Store, and held our breath together with fellow riders and witnessed the thrilling victory," user "Xiao Ba" wrote under ZXMOTO's post on RedNote.
"As the Chinese national flag was raised on the podium, and as Zhang Xue stood trackside with tears in his eyes, everyone present felt the same emotion welling up. This was more than just a championship - it was the roar of China's motorcycle community after 20 years of perseverance, a milestone breaking the long-standing dominance of Europe, the U.S., and Japan."
In interviews, Zhang Xue said the team's competitive edge came from the bike's core strengths within its class, including strong power output, low weight and a low center of gravity.
Founded in Chongqing and bearing the initials of its founder, ZXMOTO has risen rapidly in just two years, a trajectory many Chinese observers described as an inspiring example of the country's manufacturing ambitions.
Although motorcycles are not the most mainstream means of transport in China, and motorcycle racing remains a niche sport, the team's achievement resonated far beyond the racing community. Zhang's name and the ZXMOTO brand quickly gained national attention, while motorcycle-related stocks in China also saw gains amid the excitement.
Zhang, who launched ZXMOTO in 2024, recalled the skepticism the team had initially faced when entering the international paddock.
"When we first arrived in this arena, we were looked down upon," he said. "But when we stood on the top of the podium, they had to look at us again."
Zhang said China's industrial supply chain had become increasingly complete over the past decade, with major progress in equipment, manufacturing processes and production capabilities.
He added that Chinese-made motorcycles would be fully capable of earning a place in the global high-end market in the next five years that matches their true strength.
User "laZZe Ruyi Ruyi" wrote: "If you watch his early interview video, you'll truly see a grassroots kid with big dreams, his eyes full of ambition and determination.
"It was all genuine emotion and unwavering belief in his dream. It's the first time I've truly seen someone driven purely by a dream - and he's absolutely radiant because of it."