Frid’Eh Update #27 | Andy Truyts | Brought to You by RP Race Performance
Week #27 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update belongs to Belgian racer Andy Truyts and is brought to you by RP Race Performance.
By Billy Rainford
Welcome to Week #27 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by RP Race Performance. I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of shining lately. Well, I’m going to continue for a moment. Emily was sick with a really bad cold the past 10 days. I’ve never even heard her cough before this! It was pretty miserable. I thought I’d made it without catching it, but it got me. Just as I was about to say it wasn’t very bad, my back went out on me! Not just the usual lower back but also between my shoulder blades to the point where I couldn’t take a deep breath. I know you’ll just laugh and say I’m getting old, and that’s true, but I’ve been fighting a sore lower back since I was a teenager.
I was trapped in one position last night in bed and came very close to simply lying there and yelling “Help!” until I was brought to emergency or a chiropractor. Oh, I should mention Em and I are in separate bedrooms as we get through this sickness.
I figured out that if I squeezed my hands together in front of me it would somehow take the pressure off my rhomboids and I could roll around in bed to try and get comfortable, but it was no use.
There I was at 3am trying everything I could to loosen things off last night. I was rolling around on an exercise ball, I was doing reverse push-out from the wall with my elbows, I was doing side stretches, I was doing cat/cow yoga movements, I was trying everything I could to be able to get back to bed.
Long story short, that was a terrible night. Of course, all I could think about was carrying my cameras around at the races this weekend and then doing my MTB Loop of the whooped out Gopher Dunes track on Sunday evening. Oh, trust me, I’m still gonna give it a shot!
Out the window was the idea of hitting both RedBud and Gopher Dunes this weekend, though. There’s just no physical way I could do it feeling like this.
Will I try to get on my bike and go for a cycle later this afternoon? Of course I will. Somehow, that position doesn’t bother me. Go figure.
Let’s move on, shall we?
Andy Truyts from Belgium earned #27 for 2024. We haven’t seen him this summer nor are we going to but he doesn’t rule out a return to our series with his wife, Avrie Berry.
We got to know him pretty well last summer as he went back and forth home to Washougal, Washington, every week and then battled with Parker Eales (another Monday-to-Friday worker) every week. Andy prevailed in the end by a single point! It was fun to watch.
Here’s a look at his 2023 season in Canada:
If you happened to watch our ‘Bigwave’s Walk and Talk brought to you by Race Tech‘ videos last season, you would have seen an extended visit with Andy and Avrie at the end of the day at Walton Raceway. If you feel like it, you can watch that here:
We got in touch with the big Belgian this week to get to know him a little better and find out what his future plans are. Here’s what he had to say:
Direct Motocross: Hello, Andy. Just to remind everyone, can you tell us where you’re from and how you came to live in the USA?
Andy Truyts: Hi, Billy. I was born and raised in Belgium (the mecca of European motocross). I’ve only been in The States for almost two years now.
The reason for the big move over the ocean was because my wife, Avrie Berry, wanted to move back home after her career in Europe. It’s been a roller coaster, but it definitely feels like home now.
Your email has the word “coach” in it. Can you tell us what it is you do and how long you’ve been doing it?
In Belgium, I started my own PT business on top of our family business. We had a wellness center/spa in Belgium where I began helping out. My coaching career began when I worked as a (sports) massage therapist. As a coach, I focused on everyone, not just athletes or riders. I’m very approachable and I like to change people’s lives, both mentally and physically. After moving to the US, I found a job as a Manager/Head Coach at the local CrossFit gym here in Washougal, which honestly was a blessing. This is my 9th year as a coach.
Was coaching always something you thought you’d do? Some people have always known they wanted to pass things along to the next generation.
No, I honestly grew up being a little introverted, but when I went to college to get my teacher’s degree, I really opened up as a person.
After college I got some jobs at fitness centers and worked as a Spinning Instructor, and all that experience made me the coach I am today.
I coached a couple of kids on and off the bike, which was always fun to do and would definitely start doing this in the States, but right now I need to have my focus on running the CrossFit gym.
But right now, I do believe I am supposed to be a coach and help people. Helping people makes me happy.
Who did you come up racing against over there in Europe?
Oh man, I honestly raced against all the great names out there. Because Belgium was the heart of motocross in Europe, all the factory and big teams were located around where I lived. So doing the Belgian, Dutch, German, and French races I competed against all the MX2 and MXGP riders.
Even after my MX career when I started riding Hard Enduro races I even “raced” with the great Graham Jarvis, Billy Bolt, M. Lettenbichler,…
Can you sum up what you did for Pro racing before coming to North America?
Well, I made my way up in the Belgian BMB federation. I never really was a raw talent, I became the racer I am today by hard work, definitely not by given talent :D.
When I was in the National Class (Intermediate), we decided to step it up a little and I combined the Belgian Championship series with the European Championship MX2.
I even went racing in China and South Africa at some invitational races, MEMORIES!
Moving up to the 450 class pretty early (because I’ve always been a big Belgian) it took me again a couple of seasons to adapt to the speed.
After getting more comfortable and faster we travelled more to Germany, Holland, France, to do those championships. We combined it with some races of European 300 championship.
Mainly because I made the decision at some point in my life to keep going to school and get a degree and after college doing part-time jobs while racing at the highest level, made it hard to break through and go full pro.
Do I sometimes regret that decision? Definitely. But it also made me the person I am today and I am very happy with my career and where I am in life today.
In 2016 I decided to quit my MX career after becoming Belgian Champion and slowly got into the Enduro racing scene. After 1 year of doing the normal Enduro races I was having more fun doing Hard Enduro stuff and my old bike coach was a pretty talented trials and hard enduro rider at that time. I was able to learn a lot from him. That skill brought me again to International races like the RedBull Erzberg Rodeo in Austria, Xlagares in Portugal, Romania,….
And then last year doing the season with you guys in Canada, brought me really all over the world. I can only say that I am very blessed with all the memories I was able to make from racing dirt bikes.
How did you meet Avrie?
Like I mentioned earlier, I was a Sports Massage therapist and PT in Belgium. I was taking care of quite some racers back then. I remember that Avrie came over to Belgium to live with her new team (which was based in my town) and after a practice crash in Lommel she was hurting. I was basically taking care of most of the riders on her team and her team manager sent her over to my practice and that’s how we met. After that we had solely a professional relationship for two years until one day I invited her to hang out together. The rest is history :).
And you both came to Canada last summer to race. It was fun hanging out with you guys a little bit. Can you also sum up your experience up here in Canada for us?
Yes it was very fun, being on the same team as your wife makes it a little extra special though. Overall it was a great experience. Canadians are very welcoming and laidback, thanks for that. The Manluk team was awesome. Although, I didn’t like the humidity at the East coast rounds :).
When it comes to the races, all the tracks were fun and challenging. The biggest challenge for me was travelling to the races and back home every weekend. There I have a job, I wasn’t able to just stay in Canada for 3 months and fully focus on racing. You also saw that in my results. In the later part of the season you could tell that my results weren’t as good anymore. But knowing that I wasn’t the only one with a job, it was nice to fight it out with my fellow worker (Parker Eales) for a top 10 spot in the championship. We should both be really proud of that result to compete against young bucks with a full pro life.
Also, before last season I didn’t do a single MX competition for 7 years, so it was a little getting used to the intensity. Such a great experience!
And what have you been doing this summer for racing and riding?
After last season I could feel my body was physically and mentally drained from all the travelling and racing combined with a normal life. I honestly didn’t touch my bike for 9 months until we decided to do a little Enduro (GNCC style) race here at the local Washougal track. That’s so far the only time I’ve been on the bike.
In that race we made a team with Avrie and her brother Tanner Berry (former racer) and got 3rd overall at the Vurb Fro 400.
Do you see a difference between Europeans, Americans, and Canadaians? If so, what is it?
Of course every person is different, no matter where you’re from. But generally I would say Europeans have a little more grit and discipline when it comes to preparing for a racing season. Where on this side of the ocean everything is more laid back and trying to have fun along the way.
Although I know for a fact that Quinn Amyotte preps himself like a European, he works very hard on and off the bike but he knows how to have fun too.
Europeans are socially a little more arrogant (not all of course) where on this side of the ocean people are friendlier and more approachable. And I would say the Canadians especially are very kind.
Will we ever see you two back north of the border?
You’ll definitely see us back in Canada. I think Avrie will be back racing for sure in the future. You won’t see me racing anymore, I think I’m getting too old for that. Haha. But then again, you never know.
I might get back into hard enduro riding soon and I’ll for sure hit the Hard Enduro race in Canada.
Oh, since you’ve been everywhere, what’s the best track you’ve ever ridden?
Honestly, this is a very hard question because I’ve been to so many. Let’s do a top 5:
1. Olvan, Spain
2. Washougal, USA
3. Amigny, France
4. Deschambault, CAN
5. Talavera de la Reina, Spain
What does the future look like for you?
I’m focusing on my job and my family right now, which I love, and hopefully will be able to start my own business ASAP.
As for dirt bikes, I’ll probably get back into enduro riding and see if we can make it back into the Hard Enduro world.
OK, thanks for taking a bit of time with us this week. I hope to see you guys again somewhere soon. Is there anyone you’d like to thank before we let you go?
Thank you, Bill!
And yes, I need to start off with my parents in Belgium, Jacky & Willy, for everything they’ve done for me my entire life. Also my sister Dorien has always been a huge support during my life.
My American family over here Chad & Jen for the support and help we’ve got, and of course we can’t forget my wife, Avrie ;).
Frank & Diana Luebke from the Manluk team, such wonderful people. The whole Manluk racing team crew & sponsors: @rockriverpowersports @jcpowersportssouth @jcpowersportsnorth @foxracingcanada @fmfvision @matrixconceptscanada @guts_racing_inc @bludlubricants @hallracefuel @renegadefuel @worksconnection @yamahamotorcanada @xpr_motorsports @enzoracingkyb @enzokyb @Renthal_moto @hrhmxperformance @co-operators @limenine @action_sports_clinic @cmtechnology20 @mongoose_machine
Now that is a truly worldly individual! I always say, “He who dies with the best stories, wins!” and it looks like he’s definitely in the lead.
Moto Combine at RedBud
As we’re moving along here today, the Moto Combine has been taking place at RedBud again. We’ve got a few reasons to pay attention to this race this time. Preston Masciangelo is racing it again and he took 12th in the first moto after moving up throughout the race.
Also, American hotshots #300 Drew Adams and #27 Krystian Janik are both racing and will be on the line Sunday at Gopher Dunes.
In the first moto, Janik chased #18 Landen Gordon for most of the moto while Adams had to come from outside the top 10 and make up almost 20 seconds in the last 2 laps to pass for the lead and the win! At the flag it was Adams then Janik, so let’s just say our 250 riders are in for some pretty serious added competition this weekend.
The second moto is scheduled to start at 5pm, so head over to the AMA Pro Motocross site to follow along with the live timing.
Ryder McNabb to Miss Remainder of AMA Pro Motocross
AEO Powersports KTM announced that Canadian #107 Ryder McNabb from Minnedosa, Manitoba, will sit out the remainder of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship season due to an illness. Here’s the post from them:
I spoke with Ryder after the last round at Southwick when he told me about the pericarditis he was diagnosed with after he went to the hospital at the end of the day. We didn’t mention it in the post because he wanted to get some more information about it and what it meant before saying anything publicly.
I just got off the phone with him and he is back at home in Manitoba where he’ll recover from this condition. The viral infection can be a pretty minor setback and treated easily with antibiotics or it can linger. In fact, Ryder was told that if he doesn’t take the time to let it heal completely that it would likely come back and that there are cases where it can become a permanent problem, so they are going to take the necessary time to let it get 100% better.
He was sick before the season began and they figure it was then that it started, so it was simply a matter of time before it got serious enough to send him to emergency, which it finally did in Massachusetts.
He is on medication and they will continue to monitor the enzyme levels in his blood to make sure everything is back to normal before he can get back to his regular level of activity, meaning his racing season is over at this point.
Ryder is under contract for another year so he’s looking forward to coming back at full strength to be ready for 2025 AMA Supercross, AMA Pro Motocross, and SMX.
Take care, Ryder, and we’ll see you back on the gate soon.
OK, that gets us well past my 4:00 Eastern cut-off time to have this column “handed in,” but I’m giving myself an excuse this week. I’ve heard the entries for Amateur Day Saturday at Gopher Dunes are way down. Is it because people are afraid of the sand or is it more to do with the overlap of RedBud? Whatever the reason, it sucks but I’ll see you there in the morning, regardless.
It’s also crazy to think that we’ve got yet another top rider out with a UCL thumb injury. Like I always joke, all the cool kids have that scar on their thumbs, and now it’s Jett Lawrence‘s turn.
Here’s his update on Instagram to end this week:
Have a great weekend, everyone, and get out to Courtland on Sunday!
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