An aerial photo shows motorcyclists navigating a sharp hairpin bend along the mountain road. [Photo/WeChat account: dskb-dhz]

While French rider Valentin Debise secured a second-place finish in the World Superbike Championship's WorldSSP qualifying session in the Netherlands on April 17, a different kind of racing excitement was unfolding in Hangzhou's Jiande.

At the same time, the ZXMotor team — composed of brand owners and experienced riding enthusiasts — was carving through the famed Zhexi Heavenly Road in Sandu town's Qianyuan village, unleashing springtime speed and adrenaline across 42 consecutive hairpin bends.

The 20-kilometer mountain route climbs from the village to a 700-meter-high ridge, featuring tight curves as narrow as 3.5 meters. Though spring blossoms had already passed, the road was surrounded by lush greenery and traditional mountain villages, creating a striking backdrop for the ride.

Originally built in 2006, the road has recently been upgraded with viewing platforms and rest stops. It now connects villages and boutique homestays, evolving from a simple mountain road into a hub for light extreme sports and leisure tourism.

Motor riders navigate a sharp hairpin bend. [Photo/WeChat account: dskb-dhz]