It would be at no fault of the outside observer to look at the last few years of Keegan Swenson’s cycling career and think of him as ordained with a gift reserved for a select few. During the past three seasons, Keegan has been nearly unbeatable across a range of disciplines.

With panache and style, he regularly smashes course records and, in doing so, has assumed the throne of an elite hierarchy that is developing within the North American off-road racing scene as new events crop up that require athletes to possess both technical skill and an extraterrestrial level of fitness.

At events such as the Lifetime Grand Prix series, Keegan and a select group of other racers are redefining what it means to be a professional. Endurance riders of generations past have often needed to chase careers in the bigger budget European race scene, but Keegan has thrived by opting to stay stateside.

With his bleached blonde mullet and an ever-growing collection of black and grey tattoos, Keegan would look right at home in one of the many metal or hardcore bands pumping through his earbuds during endless training rides. Despite his renegade appearance, he functions as a well-oiled machine—constantly planning ahead, dialing in his nutrition, and perfecting his bike setup. Each subtle improvement, he says, is a way to stay ahead of the competition. Working with longtime mechanic Myron Billy, a relationship that began when Keegan was in his late teens, the two have delivered flawless machines to the top of the podium.