The recent consecutive victories of Chinese motorcycle brand Zhang Xue's racing team have drawn significant attention. Amidst this rising popularity, Zhang Jixing, widely known as "Brother Ya" and recognized as the mentor behind Zhang Xue, has come into the public spotlight. In a recent interview, Brother Ya revealed that he has accepted seven new apprentices and plans to apply the same personalized training approach he used with Zhang Xue. "Zhang Xue winning the championship wasn't him completing a task; it was me completing a task. So now I'm starting to take on apprentices again. I'm prepared. If I can't achieve it, my apprentices will continue. If they can't, then their children will carry it on," he stated. He expressed his belief that these seven apprentices have the potential to dominate the entire competitive sports product sector.

Brother Ya, originally named Zhang Jixing and hailing from Wuhe, Anhui province, is a former national motocross champion with over ten titles to his name. It is reported that he once advised Zhang Xue, "You're not suited to be a racer; you're suited to build motorcycles." He has also taken under his wing the son of Zhang Xue's senior fellow apprentice, named Yang Dan, remarking that since birth, the child would stop crying whenever they revved a motorcycle engine. "If one generation cannot complete the goal, then two generations will. Zhang Xue accomplished the second generation; I hope he can achieve the third. That means in the future, when you ride a Zhang Xue motorcycle to a world championship, your Grandpa Ya would spare no expense to train you. Just don't forget me if you win the world title," Brother Ya added.

The meeting between Brother Ya and Zhang Xue reads like a destined tale. In 2007, at a motorcycle race in Siyang, Jiangsu, Brother Ya was already a renowned national racing champion, while Zhang Xue was a young dreamer in his early twenties, facing rejection from every racing team. "Nobody wanted him, and I felt so sorry for Zhang Xue. I felt his experience mirrored my own beginnings. If no one else wanted him, I would," Brother Ya recalled nonchalantly. "I didn't care about his skill level; I wanted to help him fulfill his dream of becoming a racer." This decision irrevocably altered the young man's path.

However, reality soon delivered a sobering assessment. "After just two days of training, it was clear Zhang Xue had no natural talent for racing whatsoever," Brother Ya admitted, nearly losing hope. Yet, it was then that another remarkable trait emerged. "When it came to repairing and modifying bikes, he was truly exceptional—I'd never seen anyone so skilled," Brother Ya remembered, noting Zhang Xue's near-obsessive focus on engines and modifications. "His eyes would light up at the sight of a Honda or Yamaha, with a look that said he wanted to take the whole bike and engine right then and there."

For over two years in Bengbu's Wuhe county, Zhang Xue shadowed Brother Ya daily, maintaining bikes in the mornings and practicing riding in the afternoons, sharing meals prepared by Brother Ya's mother-in-law. Despite the humble conditions, both master and apprentice found joy in their routine. Brother Ya was particularly struck by Zhang Xue's tenacity, describing him as acting like a "madman" determined to build a water-skimming motorcycle. "I told him not to do it, but he insisted, welding every day until he burned out my wiring and wrecked the welder," Brother Ya recounted with a smile. "No amount of scolding could stop him; he had to try it for himself."

It was this relentless, trial-and-error persistence that convinced Brother Ya that although the young man would never be a champion racer, he possessed immense potential elsewhere. In 2009, Brother Ya delivered what seemed a harsh but ultimately transformative verdict: "Give up on being a racer; you will never be a champion." While this might sound like a blunt dismissal, Brother Ya intended it as redirection. "We trained together every day and discussed this. I told him straight: you cannot become a champion racer. But if a racer turns to building bikes, it's entirely possible to create the best racing motorcycle in China, one that could even compete globally. That was the only viable path," he explained. "If you can't win a championship yourself, making a bike that wins one is just another way to realize your dream, isn't it?"

This moment marked a pivotal turn in their relationship. Zhang Xue accepted the advice without resistance or disappointment, himself aware that raw talent was lacking. "He couldn't argue; I dare say he still couldn't beat me in a race today. Even in ten years, he probably still wouldn't," Brother Ya said affectionately.

History proved Brother Ya correct. Zhang Xue channeled all his passion into motorcycle manufacturing. Brother Ya provided not just guidance but tangible support. "Whenever he needed help, I gave him all my resources. If I had 10,000 yuan, I'd give him 9,000. I kept just enough to eat; the rest was for him to use," Brother Ya shared. During Zhang Xue's startup phase, Brother Ya lent him money numerous times, introduced him to major domestic motorcycle manufacturers for formal training, and even borrowed from his own brother to support the venture. When family questioned the investment, Brother Ya stood firm: "I believe in this kid."

On March 28, 2026, when Zhang Xue's motorcycle won the SSP class at the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) in Portugal, marking the first time a Chinese-made bike stood atop the podium at a world-tier event, Brother Ya was overcome with emotion. He didn't call or message Zhang Xue amid the victory chaos. "I understood he'd be swamped with media, investors, and congratulations. Our bond doesn't need intrusion at such a time," he explained. Instead, he rewatched the race footage repeatedly, tears streaming down his face. "I started crying even before the win was official. I cried for three or four days straight; every time I saw the video, the tears came," he admitted.

"This was far more than a simple race victory," Brother Ya emphasized excitedly. "For decades, international motorcycle podiums have been dominated by brands like Ducati, Yamaha, and Kawasaki—they monopolized the track. But Zhang Xue's bike, with its self-developed three-cylinder engine and electronic control system, won by nearly four seconds—a crushing margin at this level." His pride swelled further: "What makes me proudest is that the engine, key components, and tuning were all our own, truly homegrown. This isn't just Zhang Xue's victory; it's a win for China's entire motorcycle industry chain—we've gone from following to leading. Chinese motorcycles can compete at the world's best."

Asked about shared traits with Zhang Xue, Brother Ya pinpointed "single-mindedness." He reflected, "We're transparent; there's never a hidden meaning to decipher. We're simple, straightforward, and stubborn." It is this stubborn dedication that propelled both to success in their respective fields. Summarizing Zhang Xue's achievement, Brother Ya was succinct: "Utter passion is indispensable, and then, never look back." He likened their focus and efficiency to "people who could sleep embracing a motorcycle. If we find a problem, we won't sleep until it's fixed; it never carries over to the next day."

Inspired by his protégé's triumph, Brother Ya continues to pursue his own dreams, now venturing into building a low-altitude economy ecosystem. Discussing his current aircraft projects, he acknowledged he might eventually partner with Zhang Xue. "Because in this area, I need to learn from him. He has qualities I currently lack, like corporate management and years of accumulated business experience," Brother Ya noted.

From a 14-time national champion racer to an entrepreneur exploring low-altitude economies; from a rejected motorcycle enthusiast to a pioneer elevating Chinese motorcycles onto the global stage—their story eschews grand pronouncements for genuine, burning passion. As Brother Ya aptly put it: "We don't do things because we have money; we do them because we want to." This philosophy perhaps best captures the common ground he shares with Zhang Xue.