But Yarroweyah’s Teagan Thom can claim just that.
The Year 10 student from St Mary’s of the Angels Nathalia is the Victorian junior girls’ champion in motocross and was runner-up in the New Zealand junior girls’ championship.
For Teagan, motocross is in her blood.
“My family really got me into it. My family have been doing it their whole lives,” she said.
Teagan got her first bike when she was only two and started racing when she was seven.
Her parents did motocross when they were younger, and the family is heavily involved in the Cobram Motocross Club.
Teagan said she enjoyed travelling with the sport.
“I really enjoy its fun. I like jumping, and I like riding in general,” she said.
As there are so few female motocross competitors compared to males, Teagan often finds herself competing against her male counterparts, which she enjoys.
Teagan said being Victoria’s top junior girl was a great feeling.
“I have been doing the Vic titles for a fair while now; this year I worked really hard and got to the position I am,” Teagan said.
“I put the time and effort into it, so I knew I had it in me, but I’m still happy.”
To achieve her coveted title, Teagan competed in a four-round series, three races each round, against Victorian riders plus some from interstate.
To become number two in New Zealand in her division, Teagan competed in two races: one on the North Island, where she won King of the Mountain at Taranaki in January; and in April, she competed on the South Island for three days of full racing, in which she placed second.
Teagan said she was pleased with her results in New Zealand.
“I was pretty over the moon, and I didn’t really expect to get second,” she said.
Teagan said her training was a mixture of bike work with friends or working out in the gym to enable her to control the 250cc bike she uses.
Teagan’s next aim is to become number one in Australia.
Her dream to win the coveted first spot will be made all the more difficult due to a new ruling by Motorcycling Australia that compels 15-year-olds to race in the professional division.
Teagan has mixed feelings about the prospect of facing older riders.
“I am a bit nervous but excited at the same time,” she said.
The 2024 competition starts in March and will involve separate events nationwide.
The Australian junior competition will be held in Western Australia.
However, getting there will require help, as travel and maintenance costs are unsurprisingly steep.
“I am asking for any assistance to help me achieve my dream goals,” Teagan said.
“Be it monetary or through the donation of equipment, any help would be greatly appreciated.”
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