Round 2 of the 2026 CST Motorcycle Culture Festival, the Guiyang Round, will take place on August 22–23 at Junchi International Circuit in Guiyang, Guizhou Province.
Following the opening round in Zhengzhou, this is the second event of the season. Motorcycle enthusiasts from across mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau will gather for one of the industry's major motorcycle events.
This time, we spoke with one of the participating riders, Cheong from Macau, about his journey into motorcycle racing and his experience at the CST Motorcycle Culture Festival.
The Joy of Racing Lies in Pushing Your Own Limits
Cheong has been interested in motorcycles since childhood.
Back then, he simply thought motorcycles were cool. Riding, taking photos, and getting a few likes on social media were pretty much what motorcycles meant to him at the time.
It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that things began to change. A friend introduced him to motorcycle racing, and he gradually discovered what the sport was really about.
At first, he only competed in races in Macau. Last year, he bought a Yamaha R3 in mainland China and began taking part in 300cc-class races.
Today, he is competing in the full season of the CST Motorcycle Culture Festival, organized by CST Tires.
——What are you most looking forward to at this event?
My first CST Motorcycle Culture Festival was the single-round event in Xiamen last year.
If you had asked me what I was most looking forward to back then, I would honestly have said getting on the podium.
But now, what I look forward to most is battling other riders on track.
Take the main race at the previous round in Zhengzhou, for example. I was fighting for fourth place with another rider. Over the 12 laps, I remember that we swapped positions more than five times.
During a race, the adrenaline kicks in and your body immediately switches into competition mode. It feels like you're constantly pushing your own limits.
It's a feeling of excitement that's really hard to put into words.
That's why I genuinely look forward to and enjoy the wheel-to-wheel battles during a race.
"Battling other riders on track."
For Cheong, this has become one of the most appealing aspects of motorcycle racing.
He used to focus on getting onto the podium. Now, he finds just as much enjoyment in the close competition with other riders on the circuit. For him, racing is no longer simply about winning. It's about enjoying the process of competing at full intensity and challenging his own limits.
Aiming for Fifth Place or Higher in the Overall Standings
——What are your goals for this season, which consists of three rounds in Zhengzhou, Guiyang, and Xiamen?
I'm competing in the full season this year.
In terms of results, my goal is to finish fifth or higher in the overall standings.
As for my goals on track, I want to learn more about racing and motorcycle setup. For example, I want to understand how to adjust the bike to suit my riding style so that I can achieve faster lap times.
I also hope to continue improving my riding skills.
Cheong has set a clear target of finishing fifth or higher in the overall standings.
However, results are not the only reason he takes part in racing.
He also wants to gain knowledge and experience through competition, learn how to set up his motorcycle to suit his riding style, and turn what he learns into faster lap times and better riding skills.
For him, every step forward and every lesson learned are important parts of the racing journey.
How Does He Use the CST-SR10?
We also asked Cheong how he uses the CST-SR10 tires supplied for this year's CST Motorcycle Culture Festival.
Before heading out for each session, he first makes sure the tires are brought up to their operating temperature.
For tire pressure, he generally starts with the recommended figures provided by CST and then makes small adjustments based on his own feel. Based on his usual race routine, he typically uses one new set of tires for qualifying and the sprint race, and another set for the main race.
New tires offer excellent grip and give me a lot more confidence. I can lean the bike further into corners, and I can also get on the throttle earlier when exiting a corner.
For riders who compete regularly, tire performance is about much more than simply having good grip.
Grip directly affects a rider's confidence through corners, as well as how early they can get back on the throttle when exiting a turn.
What Cheong shared was his firsthand experience of using the CST-SR10 in actual race conditions.
Safety First — I Still Have Work Tomorrow
Although he enjoys pushing for speed, Cheong's own riding style is surprisingly measured.
── Could you tell us about the riding style or race strategy you value most?
In terms of riding style, I think I'm a relatively cautious rider, haha.
I'm not too aggressive.
I'm an amateur rider, after all. I might finish a race today and have to go to work tomorrow.
So I try not to get injured or do anything that could affect my job.
That's why my main priority is to finish the race safely.
The race may be over today, but there's still work tomorrow.
For an amateur rider, this is a very practical consideration.
That's why finishing safely is Cheong's basic principle.
However, putting safety first doesn't mean being passive during a race.
As for race strategy, when I'm close to the rider ahead and see a possible overtaking opportunity, I usually spend one or two laps observing them. I look for the part of the track where I feel most confident making a move, and then I go for it.
When a rider behind me is getting very close, I tell myself not to overthink things. I just need to keep pushing forward.
When chasing a rider ahead, Cheong takes one or two laps to study their movements and identify the best place to overtake. When someone behind is closing in, he reminds himself to stay focused and keep moving forward.
His approach is to complete the race safely while remaining ready to make a decisive move when the right opportunity comes along.
Finding that balance between safety and competition is part of the riding style he has developed through experience.
Growing Together with His Teammates
Finally, we asked Cheong to share a few words with the family and friends who have continued to support him.
First of all, I definitely want to thank my friends and family for their support.
In particular, I'd like to thank the No.3 team in Macau and my teammates at Silver Steed Zhongshan.
We work hard together, share our experiences, and keep improving together!
Motorcycle racing may look like an individual sport, with one rider out on the circuit.
But from preparing the bike and adjusting its setup to reviewing each race and getting ready for the next one, the support of teammates and family is always part of the journey.
Standing on the podium was once the goal.
Battling rivals on track is what he enjoys today.
And continuing to learn from every race, building experience, and gradually becoming faster is something he will keep working towards.
Cheong's journey in the CST Motorcycle Culture Festival is far from over.
What kind of battles will the next round bring?
We'll be watching.