Valentin Debise (EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory) continued his incredible 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship campaign with a double at the Autodrom Most, with two very different styles of victory. Race 1 of the Czech Round was more tactical as he managed the gap to the riders once he hit the front, while Race 2 was a last-lap scrap as he claimed two stunning wins and hauled himself into the Championship battle.

RACE 1 VICTORY: “My plan was to be patient. I know all of those Yamaha guys fight like crazy and that’s what happened”

In Saturday’s Race 1, Debise initially ran in fifth place, but he moved ahead of fellow French rider Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) on Lap 7 at Turn 20, and two corners later he was briefly in the lead. At Turn 1 under heavy braking, he passed Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha), Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) and Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) to move into the lead, although Oncu was able to fight back through Turn 2. On the same lap, Debise passed Oncu at Turn 15 as he secured P1 and, from there, he was able to manage the gap to Oncu in P2 as he added another victory to his tally in 2026.

Speaking about Race 1, the #53 stated: “It was a good race for me. At the beginning, and from the start of the weekend, I struggled a bit with the new tyre. It’s not where we’re strongest. Having this problem, I knew I’d be faster at the end of the race with the used tyre. My plan was to be patient. I know all of those Yamaha guys fight like crazy and that’s what happened. At some point, I wanted to start gaining positions to put myself in second and third, and I was able to get the lead in an unexpected way. I felt great at the front. I kept doing my lap time. It wasn’t so easy for me to go a bit faster but, in the end, I was able to modify the setup of the bike to give me some more confidence and turning. I was able to drop my lap time in the second half of the race and take some advantage over P2.”

LAST LAP FIGHT: “I don’t think he expected me to pass him there, it was a good plan for me, and I enjoyed the battle with him a lot”

While Race 1 was a more methodical victory as he controlled the gap to the riders behind, Race 2 was an all-out battle on the final lap. Debise led at the start of the final lap but Oncu moved ahead at Turn 1 to take the lead as Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) and Mahias crashed. That left Debise and Oncu to battle it out for P1, with the ZXMOTO rider making his move at Turn 15. Oncu tried to defend through Turn 16 before they were side-by-side into Turn 20, but Debise was able to outbrake his rival and win the drag race to the line for his fifth win of the season.

Explaining the last lap fight, Debise said: “Can was very strong. I was expecting to have more strong riders as, for Race 2, everyone always improves. Only Oncu and Mahias passed me. I didn’t look back so I wasn’t sure who was there. I saw we were three or four in a group. I was feeling comfortable and a bit stronger, so I tried to pull away but I wasn’t able to. When I passed Oncu, he’d modify his line so I couldn’t pass him in the same place. I kept one corner for the end and he didn’t expect me! I was a bit wide, but he opened the line, so I just went. I close the door and I was able to keep P1. I don’t think he expected me to pass him there, it was a good plan for me, and I enjoyed the battle with him a lot.”

IN THE TITLE HUNT? “It’s great to be in the Championship fight…”

Debise’s double, coupled for non-scores for Arenas and Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) in Race 2, means the #53 climbed up to second in the standings. Arenas leads the title fight with 166 points after 10 races, but Debise is now his closest challenger, sitting just 19 points behind the Spaniard, with Masia third on 130 points.

Discussing the title fight, Debise said: “It’s great to be in the Championship fight, not great that Masia and Arenas crashed out. I hope they’re okay. We’re still in a new project, so we need to relax and understand if we’re there to continue this in the same way until the end of the year. For sure, the team and I are going to do the maximum to keep going.”

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