It’s been a dream debut FIM Supersport World Championship season for ZXMOTO, particularly in the hands of Valentin Debise (EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory). The #53 re-joined the Evan Bros outfit for 2026 as they linked up with Chinese manufacturer ZXMOTO and was immediately on front-running pace. So far this year, they have won six races, and all have come from Debise – but can he return to P1 on home soil at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours?
A SEASON TO REMEMBER
A front row on ZXMOTO’s debut in Australia, and double victories at Portimao and Most, plus wins at Balaton Park and Misano. It’s a remarkable debut season for the ZXMOTO 820RR machine as it’s taken the Championship by storm, with Debise taking his win count from two (both secured in 2025) to eight in WorldSSP on the machine.
INCONSISTENCY HAS HURT THE TITLE CHALLENGE
It’s no surprise that a new bike has had some teething problems, with Debise dropping down the order in Australia, retiring from Race 2 at Balaton Park and, in other races, not been able to fight for the podium. It’s nothing unusual as the Evan Bros team work out how to consistently get the best from the package, but it’s also been an inconsistent campaign for a lot of riders too, meaning Debise sits second in the standings but 82 points behind Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team). It’s still been a phenomenal campaign even if the #53 isn’t able to claw back that deficit; in fact, it would be his highest Championship finish since he joined WorldSSP full time in 2023.
DEBISE’S SEASON IN NUMBERS
34-year-old Debise is putting up some of his best numbers in a full WorldSSP campaign this year. Six victories is a personal best for the Albi-born rider, and six podiums (all have been victories) is just one shy of his season-best of seven, recorded in 2024 – with the Evan Bros outfit but with Yamaha machinery. He’s also set five fastest laps in races, taking his tally to nine; meaning he’s taken more fastest laps this year than in 2023, 2024 and 2025 combined.
HOME SOIL FOR DEBISE
Despite having such a strong season, Debise hasn’t been on the podium, let alone the top step, since Misano. So, what better place for the French rider to return to winning ways than home soil? If he is able to manage this, he’d be the first French rider to win in WorldSSP since Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) in 2020; in fact, Mahias is the last French rider to win at Magny-Cours across all classes. Debise has enjoyed success at Magny-Cours before, taking his first two WorldSSP rostrums there in 2023. Can he repeat that success in 2026?
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