The 2026 Superbike World Championship (WSBK) Italian Round at Cremona saw a notable performance from Valentin Debridat, representing Zhang Xue Bikes. Debridat secured a fourth-place finish in the first WorldSSP race, while his teammate Caricasulo unfortunately retired after a crash.
Debridat’s Strong Showing
Valentin Debridat, riding bike number 53 for Zhang Xue Bikes, started the race from the third row, having qualified in eighth position. The race was initially interrupted by a red flag due to a collision between riders. Following the restart, the race was shortened to 13 laps. Despite the challenges, Debridat managed to bring his machine home in a commendable fourth place.
About the Cremona Circuit
The WSBK Italian Round at Cremona marks the tenth event of the current season. The circuit spans 3.768 kilometers and features 13 turns, making it the shortest track on the current WSBK calendar.
Zhang Xue Bikes’ Commitment
In a remarkable display of commitment and support, Zhang Xue, the founder of Zhang Xue Bikes, fulfilled a public promise by chartering a plane to bring approximately 200 team members to Italy to witness the WSBK Italian Round in person. According to employee reports, this five-day trip, fully sponsored by the company, covered all expenses including food, accommodation, travel, and provided unified team attire. Zhang Xue’s son, Zhang Qingtian, also accompanied the group.
Looking Ahead
The second WorldSSP race at the WSBK Italian Round in Cremona is scheduled to take place on the evening of September 27th at 20:00.
