Valentin Debise, a rider for Chinese motorcycle manufacturer ZXMOTO, competes in a race on October 18. (Photo/Cheng Min)

Chongqing - Chinese motorcycle brand ZXMOTO concluded its first full season in WorldSSP, part of the Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), on October 18, with Valentin Debise finishing runner-up in the riders’ standings and the brand placing third among manufacturers. Debise finished fifth in Race 2 at the final round in Jerez, Spain.

ZXMOTO took its first WorldSSP victory in Portugal in March, followed by wins in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Italy. Debise’s six wins and three third-place finishes over the season demonstrated the team’s growing ability to challenge established international rivals.

The attention generated by racing success also reaches overseas consumers through online platforms. People follow races, learn about the motorcycles and develop an interest in buying them, before getting a closer look at the products at trade fairs. The 140th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, which coincided with the season finale, offered a glimpse of this process.

From October 15 to 19, ZXMOTO showcased a range of motorcycles at the first phase of the Canton Fair. Its production model, the 820RR, won the Supreme Gold Award at the 2026 Canton Fair Design Innovation Awards. The race bike on display, which has won international races, drew visitors who stopped to take photos and gave overseas buyers an opportunity to see the Chinese brand's products up close.

A visitor who had ordered a ZXMOTO motorcycle through a dealer in Switzerland told WCICO that the bike was expected to be delivered next April. With several months still to wait, he visited the booth to see the motorcycle in person.

He said he first came across the bike on a seller's website and later watched a YouTube video about its racing success, which helped spark his interest in buying one.

Paul Huang, sales director at ZXMOTO, said the company was having a strong year and had established dealer networks in most countries.

Huang said the Canton Fair and specialist motorcycle exhibitions offered different advantages. China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition mainly attracts industry professionals and motorcycle enthusiasts, while the Canton Fair covers a broader range of industries, allowing the company to reach potential buyers from different countries and sectors.

He said many visitors stopped at ZXMOTO's booth to take photos with the race bike, and the company was pleased to see its products attracting attention from people across different industries. The Canton Fair provides an additional opportunity to connect with international buyers and expand overseas business beyond specialist motorcycle exhibitions.

According to ZXMOTO, the company received export orders for 7,500 motorcycles from January to September 2026 and aims to reach 10,000 units for the full year.

Beyond expanding into global markets, ZXMOTO is also planning to enter the electric motorcycle segment. According to China Media Group Finance, the company's first electric motorcycle is expected to launch next year.

Zhang Xue, the founder of company said the electrification of two-wheelers has a unique advantage: China's new-energy vehicle industry has already helped establish a nationwide network of charging stations, effectively “paving the way” for electric motorcycles to follow.