Getting to Know Tegan Molloy
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Young gun downhill racer, Tegan Molloy, grew up in the Snowy Mountains region of Australia, having spent the best part of her life finding the fastest way down the mountains either by ski's, skateboard or bike - and she's pretty handy on the golf course too. Tegan has had some great results over the years, but winning the Junior world champions title in 2014 set the scene for how fast she is and her desire to make it to the top of the sport. Kona, who have supported Tegan for along time, are behind her once again in 2016 and she is eager to work her way to the top of the elite rankings. Tegan embodies that quiet type of determination that should strike fear into the heart of her competitors, but in the pits and in real life, she is sweet, shy and personable. We look forward to seeing what Tegan brings to the World Cup scene in 2016!
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 Photo courtesy of Duncan Philpott. |
Who is Tegan Molloy?My name is Tegan Molloy and I am 19 years old. I live in a small town by the name of Jindabyne; the base of the New South Wales ski resorts. I soon began swapping my skis for pedals as summer turned my slopes into the longest downhill track in Australia. I started mountain biking for school sport, and five years later - in 2013 - I exchanged the local trails for the world stage.
Where are you from and where do you live now?I still live in Jindabyne, NSW Australia. I have grown up in Jindabyne and lived here my entire life.
Who do you ride for?I’m currently riding for the Kona Factory team, which includes: SRAM, RockShox, Maxxis, Novatec, Factor, ODI, Maxima, Fox, HT Components, Thredbo Resort and High Country Fitness
Where are you happiest?Definitely when I am out riding my bike. Whether it be riding some XC tracks at home or shredding my local mountain with a bunch of friends.
What’s been your favourite race/contest venue?Hafjell, Norway - that's the track where I claimed the Junior world champion's title. I had so much fun riding that track, there was a great mix of features too, with loads of jumps, rocks, roots and some flat out fast sections.
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What are your favourite trails?I love cutting laps on my home trails, though if I wasn't riding Thredbo, I would have to say Whistler. Dad and I travelled there in 2012 for Crankworx, which was my first ‘taste' of riding and racing overseas and I loved every minute of it. It’s definitely home to some of the best trails to ride.
What are your strengths?I like to see the amount of commitment I put into any given event or situation as one of my greatest strengths.
What are your weaknesses?I waste a lot of time procrastinating, that’s for sure.
What’s been your worst crash over the years?I would have to say my worst crash actually happened on a skateboard when I was younger. Myself and some neighbourhood bandits were racing on the road when I got the ‘death wobbles’ and used my elbows and hips for brakes on the freshly tarred road. It ended in tears...
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| Tegan tearing up the pumptrack at Thredbo's Cannonball Festival earlier this year. |
What’s been your luckiest escape?One girl, one bike, one emu…
Which bike from over the years, conjures up the best memories?That's a tough one. I’d have to say either my first downhill bike, a Kona Stinky, or my 2014 World Champs race bike. I use to ride my Stinky every chance I got; even racing it at 4X National Champs one year. I’ve had some fairly good memories as a beginner on the Stinky but they can’t compete with the special memory of racing and winning World Champs on my 2014 Kona Operator, which now hangs proudly at home in the living room.
What bikes are you riding right now?Let’s just say the garage is packed with my DH bike - a Kona Supreme Operator, my Process 153 DL, a Shonky AL Hardtail and also my road bike.
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| Sending it at Mont-Sainte-Anne. Photo courtesy of Duncan Philpott. |
Who’s your favourite rider?There are so many riders that I look up to! Tracy Hannah and Jill Kintner are definitely some of my favourite female riders. It's crazy to think just a few years ago I was idolising these women with their posters plastered on my walls and now I'm racing against them! Mik Hannah has also always been an inspiration of mine and he's always wiling to offer a much appreciated helping hand when needed, both on and off the track.
Who or what inspires you?My uncle Sean inspires me in different ways. He is such a caring person and always takes a genuine interest in people; continually asking questions about them and their experiences. Before every race, without fail, he will message me words of encouragement. While his messages are simple, they have a meaning that I can relate to. He also knows what ‘fires me up’ and makes me think about how to be the best person I can be.
What do you enjoy doing away from bikes?Away from riding, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family as well as being a part-time disc golf pro on the local course. In winter, if I'm not overseas racing, you can find me on the slopes.
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What are you listening to right now?Anything with a decent beat that gets me through a long road ride.
What’s your favourite bike movie?I would have to say Brendon Semenuk’s segment in unReal is pretty awesome.
Whats your favorite non-bike movie/tv show?I don’t follow too many TV series, but I’ll always be watching any movie with a good laugh.
What’s your favourite non-bike website?I don’t mind the odd online shopping experience, you'll find SurfStitch and Lululemon in my search history.
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What’s your favourite motto or saying?“100/0”, which means, 100% responsibility and 0% excuses.
What grinds your gears?I'm not emotionally equipped to deal with the sound of a person chewing loudly.
What makes you happy?Blue sky and sunshine.
If you weren’t a pro mountain biker, what would you be doing?Before I started mountain biking I used to play golf and skateboard. I always dreamed of being professional at either of these sports until biking came along and changed the game.
Tegan during her golfing and skating days.
If you were in charge of the sport, what changes would you make?It would be cool to see more coverage of women televised throughout the World Cup season, that way we could gain more recognition in such a male dominated sport.
When you hang up your racing shoes, how do you want to be remembered? The girl from Jindabyne who rode bikes for school sport, made it to the top and stayed humble in the process.
What does the future hold for Tegan Molloy?World Cup podiums and a force to be reckoned with.
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| Photo courtesy of Duncan Philpott. |
MENTIONS: @konaworld / @SramMedia / @ThredboResort / @Odigrips / @duncanp
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I'm not emotionally equipped to deal with the sound of a person chewing loudly.
THIS ! When my boss eats near me I feel like flipping the table and making him eat out side with the animals
Two zoo keepers on one thread, this is history right here!
From 2 years ago: vimeo.com/82667435
Golf is way more lucrative to be a pro... huge money and way easier on your bod than DH. Holding those trophies she's all 'meh.. golf'. Good Choice! Go Tegan!
BEER !!!!!!