Interview with Nick Triest
Belgian MX2 champion Nick Triest (19) is a sportsman through and through. The Shineray pilot also had a lot of talent as a football player, but his heart clearly lay in motocross. We can only be happy with that, because Nick continues to make progress year after year.
Nick, how do you look back on 2009?
Nick Triest: “I am quite satisfied. It was nice to become Belgian MX2 champion, a title that looks good on your record. The MX2 World Championship also went well. It's just a shame that I wasn't able to participate in all the races there.”
Did the fact that you couldn't participate in all the races hinder your progress?
Nick Triest: "No idea. I did make progress in the GPs that I could drive. In the end I rode more GPs than expected. And fortunately, because the fact that I would have to miss a number of GPs haunted my mind. You always had to wait until the Tuesday before a GP to be sure of participating. That is not pleasant. But all in all I learned a lot in the GPs this year.”
Are we going to see Nick Triest from Uddevala (where Nick rode his best GP of the year) in the GPs for a whole season?
Nick Triest: “Of course I don't know. I hope so. I am currently working very hard on my fitness. And the problems with my arms have also been resolved. If everything stays in place, I should be able to continue riding at the same level all the time.”
What is your goal in the GPs this year?
Nick Triest: “I do have a certain place in mind, but I prefer to keep that to myself. André (Massant) is of the same opinion, but we are not going to blow from a high tower. If I don't achieve that goal, some people will want to hold me accountable for it, so I'd rather not say anything concrete about that.”
What about your physical training, do you work with a trainer for that?
Nick Triest: “I worked with Yves Demeulemeester in 2009 and it went well. But the collaboration ended at the end of last season. I am currently working on my physique without a trainer. But my sports doctor guides me in this. This will probably remain the case for the rest of the year. During the period that I trained with Yves, I went to Mol almost every weekday, but that was actually not easy. From Liedekerke where I live, I commuted 270 km back and forth every day. Moreover, I was also stuck in traffic jams every day. Still, I was willing to do it.
I currently live in Opglabbeek during the week. I have better training facilities there. You can plenty of walking and mountain biking in the woods. Moreover, I am also a lot closer to the training circuits in Limburg and the Netherlands. The fact that I live there now makes everything much easier.”
Of the Belgian World Championship MX2 riders, you are a bit of an underdog, also because you are in a small team.
Nick Triest: “Yes, actually I prefer it that way. When you break through, it is a little less expected and more beautiful! The team is small in terms of structure, but the equipment is in excellent condition. This year we are riding a well-prepared KTM SX250F and a semi-factory WP suspension. We also click with team boss André. I had an offer from another team at the end of 2009, but in the end I chose to continue working with André.”
Was that other team a Belgian team?
Nick Triest: “No, it was a foreign team. But I don't want to say much about it now. Moreover, that is of no importance because the deal did not go through.”
Yet this means that people abroad are now also starting to keep an eye on Nick Triest.
Nick Triest: “Yes, that obviously has to do with that good Swedish GP. That was undoubtedly the highlight of the year. I did make a mental connection after Sweden. After strong performances in both series, I finally knew what I could really do. Especially because I was already in a good rhythm on Saturday. When someone like Harry Everts says that such a strong weekend is no coincidence, it also strengthens your self-confidence. This is of course very motivating towards this season.”
You couldn't really show the progress you made in the sand in the GPs?
Nick Triest: “Well, we actually expected Lommel to be my best GP in the sand. However, that turned out not to be the case. I struggled with falls all weekend. Actually, Lierop, the GP that I estimated in advance as the toughest, had been my best sand GP. I became 11 in the first seriese which was actually unexpected. But in the second series I was completely exhausted, partly due to my painful arms. In the end I finished twentieth and pocketed one more point.”
This was the second year for you that you had to qualify on Saturday. How does qualifying on Saturday differ from the actual GP series on Sunday?
Nick Triest: “On Saturday it will be a lot more intensive and aggressive. That match only lasts 20 minutes, but you just give it everything you have. In 20 minutes you will simply empty yourself. On Sunday a series lasts about 40 minutes. This means that you have to dose anyway. Something that is not possible in the qualifying race because you cannot let the rest go anyway. You also have to dare to drive a bit ruthlessly. If someone crashes because of you, that is bad luck. You just have to think that the same thing could happen to you. During the series you only have to think about yourself because you have no friends anyway. Obviously things will be different after the match.”
Did those experiences last season make you tougher?
Nick Triest: "I have become faster, although I do not drive more aggressively than before. I remained relatively calm in the GPs. But I did respond to a few men who had given me a push. Just to make them realize that they shouldn't mess with me. I'm certainly not a dirty driver. But if I really have to, I will dare a little more.”
Do you remember any collisions with other riders? Will that survive for a while?
Nick Triest: “You always remember who pushed you. But you don't have to respond immediately. You meet each other several times a year. But let's say that such an account remains open.”
Which “wild men” have you encountered on the circuits this year? Let's stick to the foreigners.
Nick Triest: “Phew, I certainly won't hold back on that. I have clashed with Marcus Schiffer a number of times this year. I also fought a few duels with Jake Nicholls, but I didn't give in. Yet you don't make a fuss about it afterwards after the series.”
Something different now. The Shineray MX Team China is a small team, but main sponsor Shineray is a fairly large manufacturer. How does it feel to be a bit of a hero in that?
Nick Triest: “I traveled to China at the end of 2008 to visit the Shineray factory. At the same time I rode a race there for the Chinese championship. To be honest, I expected the level there to be a little higher. The bad weather may have been a factor, but I showed them how to drive. The whole journey was quite impressive. I also think about the reactions of the audience. The slightest figure of speech during a jump made them go half crazy. The Shineray factory itself was huge. I don't think she has her equal in Belgium.”
Let's talk about your 2010 competition schedule. In addition to the World Championships, you may also compete in the Belgian Championships, but will we also see you in the ONK?
Nick Triest: “There are indeed a few ONK competitions on my programme. But only those who do not clash with the Belgian Championship.
Photos credit: CDS
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