Valentin Debise of EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory competes during the race 2 of WorldSSP at the FIM Supersport World Championship French Round in Magny-Cours, France, Sept. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
MAGNY-COURS, France, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese motorcycle brands are gaining visibility both on the racetrack and among French enthusiasts, as strong results in international competition coincide with growing consumer interest in one of Europe's major motorcycle markets.
At the FIM Supersport World Championship's French Round, which concluded Sunday at the Nevers Magny-Cours Circuit, riders Valentin Debise and Federico Caricasulo delivered a strong weekend for Chinese manufacturer ZXMOTO and the Evan Bros Racing team.
The pair secured a historic one-two in Friday's Superpole, with home rider Debise taking his first career WorldSSP pole ahead of Caricasulo. They finished third and fifth respectively in Race 1, while Debise claimed another third-place finish and Caricasulo finished eighth in Sunday's Race 2.
Speaking to Xinhua ahead of the race, Debise said ZXMOTO's approach to motorcycle development was one of the reasons he decided to join the fledgling racing project.
"At the beginning, that's what convinced me to join ZXMOTO, because that's what they told me: 'We want to make the best motorcycle. That's what matters,'" Debise said.
The French rider, who made his first trip to China during the recent summer break, said the drive for constant improvement he observed there had strengthened his confidence in the potential of China's motorcycle industry in France and across Europe.
For ZXMOTO, its debut WorldSSP campaign is also part of a broader push into Europe. Huang Qin, head of the company's foreign trade department, said the largely European championship provides a platform to raise its profile in a key overseas market.
In France, ZXMOTO is working with motorcycle importer and distributor DIP. Anthony Barneaud, who oversees the brand at the company, said it had already received "a significant number of pre-orders" ahead of the first deliveries to French dealers.
Valentin Debise of EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory reacts after the race 2 of WorldSSP at the FIM Supersport World Championship French Round in Magny-Cours, France, Sept. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Barneaud said ZXMOTO's WorldSSP performances had created a "real surprise effect," generating greater interest from riders and dealers. More broadly, he said Chinese brands were gradually changing perceptions by showing French motorcyclists they could offer reliable, well-equipped motorcycles at competitive prices.
Away from the track, Chinese manufacturers were also drawing attention from spectators browsing motorcycle displays around the circuit.
"Chinese motorcycles offer very good value for money," said Ludovic, a French motorcycle enthusiast. A long-time fan of Italian brands, he said Chinese manufacturers had increasingly caught his attention.
Interest is also visible online. The 2026 ZXMOTO 820RR attracted more than 10,000 unique visitors to its model page over the latest quarter on French motorcycle website Motoplanete, making it the site's most-viewed motorcycle model page during the period. The CFMOTO 1000 MT-X 2026, from another Chinese brand, ranked second.
Other Chinese manufacturers were also visible at Magny-Cours. A QJMotor display drew a steady stream of spectators during the weekend.
A staff member from SIMA, QJMotor's importer in France, told Xinhua that Chinese manufacturers' progress in international racing had helped increase their visibility among French riders. "It's important for us," he said.
Valentin Debise (front) of EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory competes during the race 2 of WorldSSP at the FIM Supersport World Championship French Round in Magny-Cours, France, Sept. 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
The interest comes as Chinese motorcycle brands continue to expand their presence in France. In May, they accounted for 15.7 percent of new motorcycle registrations, according to French publication L'Automobile Magazine. Registrations rose 58 percent year-on-year that month, meaning roughly one in six newly registered motorcycles was from a Chinese brand.
Huang said attracting attention through racing and new products was only a first step. Building lasting consumer trust in mature overseas markets would also require competitive products, sustained participation in top-level racing, a strong dealer network and reliable after-sales service.
"Only then can we achieve sales in mature markets and build a strong reputation for the brand," Huang said. ■
