Chinese motorcycle brand “Zhang Xue Motorcycles” founder Zhang Xue recently organized nearly 200 people to charter a plane to Italy to watch the World Superbike Championship (WSBK), only to find out that the team’s bus was stolen and several members had their belongings stolen.
Zhang Xue announced earlier that he would lead a team of about 200 people to fly to Italy on a chartered plane to watch the WSBK Italy round from September 25 to 27. The team members included company employees, research and development personnel, and suppliers.
Approximately 170 people boarded the charter plane from Chongqing, while about 30 others traveled to Italy separately to join the group.
However, during their time in Italy, Zhang Xue’s team’s tour bus was tragically stolen.
According to reports on September 27 by “Jímù News,” witnesses and team members recalled that two buses were stolen, with a total of 6 bags being taken. The lost items included backpacks, clothes, sports cameras, cash, passports, 3 chargers, as well as the autographs of famous riders. It was discovered that credit cards had been used for overseas transactions, confirming the theft, with consecutive charges totaling 200 euros. Passports that were kept in the bags were also lost.
The team later reported the incident to the local police. Zhang Xue Motorcycles customer service responded at the time that the safety of the team members was not compromised and that the matter would be taken care of by designated personnel.
On September 28, Zhang Xue Motorcycles further responded to the incident.
According to a report by “Kankan News,” Xiao Dandan, head of the comprehensive management department of Chongqing Zhang Xue Motorcycles, responded, stating that two cars were stolen. One car had 4 bags stolen containing clothes, tickets, Valentin Debise’s autograph, as well as video game consoles, headphones, cameras, and more. The other car lost two bags, with one person’s passport and credit card stolen, with unauthorized charges of around 200 euros. Three individuals reported the theft to the police, but there have been no developments as of now. Xiao Dandan reminded everyone to always keep their belongings with them.
The Zhang Xue Motorcycles team also participated in the WSBK Italy Cremorna round this season.
In the first round of the WorldSSP category race held on September 26, Zhang Xue Motorcycles’ No. 53 rider, French rider Valentin Debise, ultimately finished fourth. Another rider, Caricasulo, crashed and did not finish the race.
In the second round of the race on September 27, Debise eventually finished fifth, while Caricasulo ranked eighth.
As of now, the police have not disclosed any suspects or the progress of the case.
Some netizens believe that the Zhang Xue Motorcycles team was too ostentatious this time—200 Mainland Chinese tourists in matching uniforms walking the streets of Milan undoubtedly presented an easy target for thieves.