Motorcycle guru chases then catches his dream

Zhang Xue (center) poses for a photo with his racing team at Phillip Island near Melbourne, Australia, on Feb 20. CHINA DAILY

On first impression, Zhang Xue doesn't seem to care whether or not people like him.

"I wasn't willing to take any interview," said the squat man with a thick neck, wearing his own brand ZXMOTO biker jacket, at a media briefing on Monday.

Zhang was speaking to dozens of journalists in his company's Chongqing factory after one of his motorcycles made history at the weekend by securing two World Supersport category wins at Portugal's Portimao circuit.

In the first race on Saturday, French rider Valentin Debise piloted Zhang's 820RR-RS bike to a commanding victory margin of 3.685 seconds over established big-name rivals in the Superbike World Championship (WSBK).

Production-based motorcycles race in the series, making it a showcase for manufacturers.

"None of you would be here if it weren't for someone putting in a word for you to be here," he said bluntly. His remarks made many of the assembled media people uncomfortable.

The 39-year-old should have been reveling in the moment and enjoying the public spotlight. But he told the reporters that he just wanted to focus on producing motorcycles and prepare for the next race this month.

The sport has long been dominated by European and Japanese giants, such as Ducati, BMW, and the Japanese "Big Four" of Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki.

But it took ZXMOTO — short for Zhang Xue Motorcycle — a brand established in April 2024, less than two years to change the status quo.

From a workshop apprentice to the top of the podium, Zhang has inspired millions of Chinese people because of his perseverance, courage, determination and passion for motorcycles.

Zhang talks to journalists in Chongqing on Monday after one of his motorcycles won two World Supersport category races at Portugal's Portimao circuit over the weekend. CHINA DAILY

Humble origins

From the beginning, life dealt Zhang a tough hand.

He was born into a farming family in Mayang county, in Central China's Hunan province, and his parents divorced when he was 10. Located in western Hunan, the county is tucked away in the mountains, a few hours' drive from the famous Zhangjiajie or "Avatar" mountains.

After the divorce, Zhang and his younger sister lived with their grandmother.

At 16, Zhang graduated from middle school. Driven by a near-obsessive passion for motorbikes since childhood, he became an apprentice at a relative's motorcycle repair shop.

During his apprenticeship, he started riding motorbikes seriously. In previous interviews, he recalled practicing on a "beaten-up, eighth-hand" bike along the muddy, narrow paths of his hometown, Tianjiawan village in Mayang.

"Since then, I've ridden every day, and it makes me very happy," he said. "Riding is my only hobby and I can't think of anything else more interesting."

While the self-taught rider from a humble background wanted to be a professional racer, he had no connections in the motorsport world to make his dream come true.

French rider Valentin Debise riding a ZXMOTO motorcycle competes in the World Supersport category of the Superbike World Championship in Portugal on March 27. CHINA DAILY

At 19, the young man cleverly decided to reach out to one of the province's most popular TV shows, Evening News, for help. He called the show's hotline repeatedly until one of the journalists agreed to meet him. He asked the reporter to film him riding in the hope a racing team would notice his raw talent.

"I don't want to just show off my skills," he told the journalist. "I don't have money and I don't know anyone. I just want a chance to get exposure so that I can join a professional motorcycle team. Once I am in, I can do anything, fix bikes, cook and clean."

The TV crew was interested in the wiry, stubborn teenager but not sure about his riding skills.

Due to extreme nerves, his old motorcycle, or the lack of grip in the mountainous terrain, his live performance was poor and he fell off several times. The film crew was unimpressed. They politely said goodbye to the enthusiastic youngster and drove off to the next filming location.

Zhang, however, refused to give up. Convinced he had simply underperformed, he jumped on his dilapidated motorcycle and trailed the news vehicle with dogged determination for over 100 kilometers. The grueling pursuit in the rain lasted nearly three hours.

Customers try ZXMOTO motorcycles in Chongqing on Wednesday. HE PENGLEI/CHINA NEWS SERVICE

Moved by the young man's persistence, the video crew turned their cameras back on. Zhang did not blow his chance a second time. He executed a series of difficult stunts, including wheelies and riding while lying flat on the seat.

The interview aired on Hunan TV under the title The Wind-Chasing Youth. Following the broadcast, Zhang was scouted by professional racing teams. This marked the end of his days as a grease monkey and the beginning of his career as a professional rider and engineer.

In 2009, he won the bronze medal (Domestic Group) at the National Motorcycle City Stair-Climbing Contest. And in 2011, he earned back-to-back second-place finishes in this national competition.

Mover and shaker

In Chongqing, Zhang's motorcycle dreams became much bigger. With experience and knowledge of riding and engineering, he decided to make his own motorcycles.

In 2013, after Spring Festival, he quit his job and left Hunan for neighboring Chongqing with 20,000 yuan ($2,900) to his name. At the time, he had no specific idea about his next career move.

"The most difficult part is to take the first step," he recalled. "In my hometown, men have to go to work after the 15th day of the first lunar month. Though I had no idea what to do in Chongqing, I had to go."

Boasting the most complete motorcycle industry chain in the country, Chongqing has earned a reputation as the country's "Motorcycle Capital".

The city is home to over 40 vehicle manufacturers and more than 400 parts suppliers, with an annual production capacity of 10 million vehicles and 20 million engines. One in every three motorcycles exported from China is made in Chongqing, according to local authorities.

"You can get any auto part you want in Chongqing and there are plenty of experienced engineers here," Zhang said.

With no local connections or substantial financial resources, he took baby steps in the beginning. He sourced spare parts from local markets to assemble and modify motorcycles, eventually finding buyers by sharing his work on online motorbike communities.

By obsessing over every single bolt on the engine and body and prioritizing user feedback, he transformed from a newcomer into a recognized tech guru in the community. He eventually saved up enough money for a startup company.

In 2017, he co-founded Kove Moto in Chongqing. His team produced several impressive models, including the 500X and 450 Rally. Kove's annual sales skyrocketed from a mere 800 units at the start to 30,000 at its peak, establishing the brand as a leader in China's large-displacement motorcycle market.

In 2023, Kove Moto took part in the Dakar Rally, the world's most famous and grueling off-road endurance race, which covers more than 8,000 km of desert and rough terrain.

They achieved a major milestone: the first-ever "trinity" finish with a Chinese manufacturer, Chinese riders, and Chinese bikes all crossing the finish line.

One year later, because of philosophical differences with his investors, Zhang chose to leave Kove to start his own company. His passion was to focus on R&D to develop motorcycles capable of challenging the world's best.

The fame and fortune he had achieved at Kove meant little to him, he said. "I don't want to be a businessman sitting in meetings. I want to be a hands-on engineer again," he said.

He quickly registered ZXMOTO in the Liangjiang New Area. Zhang wanted absolute control of the brand and a factory dedicated solely to high-performance engineering.

The company debuted its inaugural model, the 500RR, at the 22nd China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in September 2024. The first deliveries rolled out in March 2025, and by the end of that year, sales had surpassed 25,000 units.

The company reported an output value of 750 million yuan in 2025, with nearly 70 million yuan invested in research and development. It also posted a net loss of about 22.8 million yuan, highlighting the cost of chasing cutting-edge bikes.

Investor interest in ZXMOTO is growing.

Earlier this month, the company completed a Series A funding round, raising 90 million yuan and reaching a post-money valuation of about 1.09 billion yuan.

For 2026, ZXMOTO is targeting annual sales of 60,000 units and output value of 1.8 billion yuan, while nearly doubling its R&D budget to 135 million yuan.

When Zhang graduated from middle school, he told his classmates that his dream was to repair motorcycles.

"Now my dream is to make ZXMOTO a top 10 global (motorcycle) brand in 10 years," he said.

Zhang Xue during the interview on Monday in his factory in Chongqing. CHINA DAILY

"I am very confident (of achieving the goal) because I know how to make a good bike and I work hard. I have been working in this industry for 20 years, with only five days off."

He is also confident in China's manufacturing capabilities.

"Our advantages are low costs and high efficiency. In terms of high-end manufacturing, we are neck and neck with Europe and the United States," he said.

"What we lack is the experience (in manufacturing) and we are learning from the leaders quickly."

For every rider, MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, often described as the "Formula 1 of two wheels". It is the oldest established motorsport world championship, having started in 1949.

Unlike other races, where bikes are modified versions of what you can buy in a store, MotoGP bikes are pure prototypes.

For Zhang, winning in the WSBK was a historic breakthrough, but MotoGP success is the ultimate goal.

"WSBK is just the beginning. I won't stop until a Chinese bike stands on the top step of a MotoGP podium," he said.