![\"20130818_Teagan_OKeeffe_still_photo_160x200.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-93108700-1377157263.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Teagan O’Keeffe<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Vital Stats<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Date of birth: <\/strong> Hometown: <\/strong> Currently lives:<\/strong> Team: <\/strong> Her parents still laugh as they recall Teagan\u2019s first race and the look on the other parents\u2019 faces when this little blonde girl on a pink Barbie<\/em> bicycle with tassles and a basket on the handlebars, went flying past their sons, beating them to the finish of the race.<\/p>\n She draws inspiration from her dad, Patrick, who always gives, and expects, 100% effort from Teagan and her brothers.<\/p>\n Teagan\u2019s training regime takes about 26-hours per week and includes gym work, sprints, endurance and working on technique on her BMX at the track. She tapers off her training in the lead up to major events as part of her recovery and to perform at her best.<\/p>\n Finishing in 5th place in the recent Supercross World Cup in Argentina ranks as one of her career highlights, although she recalls that just about nothing will top winning the World Championship title and rainbow jersey in South Africa in 2010.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the first ever South African Elite BMX woman, I would like to be remembered for paving the way forward for the future Elite Women and inspiring the young girls to pursue their goals no matter how challenging the path is. I strive to always be a good ambassador for not only BMX South Africa, but for my country as well.\u201d<\/p>\n The hardest part of being a woman cyclist?
10-11-1992<\/p>\n
Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal<\/p>\n
Irvine, California<\/p>\n
Part of SASCOC’s OPEX programme\n<\/div>\n
\u201cIt is hard for female BMX racers to get the same recognition that the men get. This may sound \u201cclich\u00e9\u201d but it can be tough on us as people quickly forget that we also train equally as much and race just as hard as the men. The strength and speed of the men make for more spectacular racing and is always a crowd favorite whereas in the past, the women\u2019s races were never taken seriously. However recently, as the tracks have got more demanding and the depth of women has increased, we seem to be slowly getting the credit we deserve.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n