en.Wedoany.com Reported - Huai Steel Special Steel, a subsidiary of Shagang Group, supplied 42CrMo alloy structural steel for the core components of Zhang Xue Motorcycle's 820CC engine, supporting the Chinese motorcycle brand in topping the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) for the first time and ending the 37-year monopoly held by European, American, and Japanese manufacturers.
On March 28-29, 2026, Chongqing Zhang Xue Motorcycle factory team rider Valentin Debise, driving the No. 53 ZXMOTO 820RR-RS race bike, won both races consecutively in the WorldSSP (World Supersport) class at the WSBK Portugal round, finishing the first race with a 3.685-second advantage. This marks the first time a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer has topped the podium in this premier championship, breaking the decades-long monopoly of international powerhouses like Ducati, Yamaha, and Kawasaki.
The "Material Cornerstone" of the Championship Bike
The Zhang Xue Motorcycle 820RR-RS race bike is equipped with a self-developed 819cc inline three-cylinder engine, with the track version producing 150 horsepower and a dry weight of only 168 kg. Its engine core components—the crankshaft, connecting rods, and engine cases—are manufactured using high-quality 42CrMo alloy structural steel supplied by Jiangsu Shagang Group Huai Steel Special Steel Co., Ltd. In December 2024, Jiangsu Gangyang Power Components Co., Ltd. received the development task for the three-cylinder 820CC core components from Zhang Xue Motorcycle. As the raw material supplier, Huai Steel Special Steel quickly formed a dedicated project team, optimized continuous casting process parameters, precisely controlled pouring superheat, casting speed, and electromagnetic stirring, successfully overcoming industry pain points such as composition segregation and insufficient density. This achieved precise control over material composition uniformity and alloy element segregation, meeting the extreme demands for density, strength, toughness, and wear resistance under high-speed, high-load racing conditions. In March 2026, these 820CC core components successfully entered mass production.
From Huai'an Molten Steel to the World's Race Tracks
Huai Steel Special Steel is now a core enterprise within the special steel segment of Shagang Group. Leveraging advanced equipment and refined processes, the company has established a digital full-process traceability system, transitioning from "qualified quality" to "quality leadership." Its products have extended from the traditional automotive and motorcycle parts sector to high-end niche markets such as drones and industrial robots, forming a "premium, specialized, and distinctive" product portfolio. Zhang Xue Motorcycle was founded in April 2024 with a registered capital of 65.4 million yuan, with founder Zhang Xue holding a 73.39% stake. The company's total output value in 2025 was 750 million yuan, with R&D investment reaching 69.58 million yuan, accounting for 9.33% of sales. Currently, its Phase I annual production capacity exceeds 20,000 units, with targets for 2026 set at annual sales of 60,000 units and annual output value of 1.8 billion yuan.
"Racing Feeds Mass Production": Industrial Chain Collaboration Breakthrough
This WSBK victory validates the ultimate performance of production-based vehicles under WSBK regulations—competing models must be modified from mass-produced, commercially available models, with a production scale exceeding 250 units and passing certification. Zhang Xue Motorcycle's compliance demonstrates the systems engineering capability of Chinese manufacturing and marks the formal entry of domestic high-performance motorcycles into the world's top tier in core technology areas such as engine materials, vehicle tuning, and racing electronics. Following the championship win, Zhang Xue Motorcycle's daily orders surged by 6,000 units, and within 100 hours of opening pre-orders for the 820RR and 500RR models, firm orders reached 5,543 units. The racing achievement directly translated into market recognition, showcasing the effectiveness of the "racing feeds mass production" strategy.
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