The 2026 WSBK Hungarian round at Balaton Park Circuit delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory, as Zhang Xue Racing’s rider Debise snatched victory from two Yamaha machines on the final lap. The result marked the team’s third consecutive win, earning comparisons to a movie script – except it was all real.
Racing under the nickname “Sashimi style,” Debise made a breathtaking move in the last three corners, overtaking both Andrea Locatelli and Garrett Gerloff in a single sequence. The official WSBK broadcast labeled it “an epic final lap.” With Zhang Xue Racing’s 820RR carrying a 7kg weight penalty and 5% power reduction – the first race after the end of their BOP exemption – the victory was especially significant.
The Balaton Park circuit, added to the WSBK calendar in 2025, is known as “brake hell.” With 17 corners, over 60% low-speed turns, and five heavy braking zones, tire management is critical. Debise executed a flawless race, running fourth in the early laps while conserving tires. As the leading Yamahas began to fade around lap 9, Debise closed the gap to within 0.2 seconds.
The turning point came on lap 13 when race leader Marc García crashed out, promoting Debise to third. He bided his time, knowing his tire life was superior. Entering the final lap, he stalked Gerloff and Locatelli. On the penultimate corner, he out-braked both by nearly 5 meters, carving from the outside line to pass them both in a single move – a textbook overtake that left fans and commentators stunned.
Crossing the line, Debise’s 820RR powered past the Yamahas, underlining Zhang Xue Racing’s engineering prowess. In a peculiar twist, the combined cost of the second and third place bikes could have bought six of the winning machine. Social media erupted with praise, and the victory also sparked unexpected excitement across Chinese and Taiwanese online communities, with many young fans celebrating the achievement.
For Debise, a veteran who previously struggled as a Yamaha satellite rider, the transformation has been remarkable. He now credits Zhang Xue Racing with unlocking his potential, after years of limited support. The victory also paid dividends for sponsor Eastroc Beverage, which had taken a chance on the team with a modest investment and now enjoys massive exposure.
WSBK itself benefited from the story, as the race generated significant interest from Chinese broadcasters and potential title sponsors, boosting hopes for a future Chinese round. With the third title in hand, Zhang Xue Racing now looks ahead to the second race of the weekend on May 3rd, aiming for a fourth consecutive win.