Career
He rides for the Team Dimension Data team Whilst at the World Cycling Centre he was diagnosed with tachycardia, which was corrected by surgery in early 2009. He returned to riding in May of that year and went on to finish sixth overall in that year"s Tour de l"Avenir.
In 2010 he rode as a trainee for Cervélo TestTeam.
He participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics being the first Eritrean competing in a sport other than athletics. He finished the road race in the 73rd position.
In 2012, he became the first Eritrean to ride in Louisiana Vuelta, one of the 3 grand tours. He finished the race 146th overall.
Teklehaimanot joined MTN–Qhubeka for the 2014 season, on a two-year contract.
He was named in the start list for the 2015 Tour de France alongside team-mate and compatriot Merhawi Kudus, becoming the first black African to start the Tour when he was the first of the 198 riders to start the race"s opening time trial. Teklehaimanot became the first black African rider to wear the polka dot jersey after winning it on Stage 6 of the 2015 Tour de France.