COACHES
Coach Announcement
Arno du Toit & Keagan Bontekoning
Two Elite Athletes. One Shared Mission.
AfriRide Xscapes is proud to introduce the first two coaches leading our 2026 edition: Arno du Toit and Keagan Bontekoning — two of South Africa’s most respected names in mountain biking and gravel racing.
More than just athletes, Arno and Keagan are mentors, teachers, and tacticians who bring years of racing experience, trail wisdom, and a passion for performance to every rider they work with.
Arno du Toit
One of the most consistent and decorated mountain bikers in South Africa, Arno has raced at the sharp end of events like the Absa Cape Epic, Tankwa Trek, and Attakwas Extreme. With a background in both XCO and marathon racing, he combines endurance, strategy, and technical finesse like few others. As a former South African Marathon Champion, Arno is able to share valuable insight on what it takes to tick off these events.
Keagan Bontekoning
A top contender in any given discipline, Keagan brings a wealth of knowledge when it comes to attention to detail and racing at the highest level. Whether it be pacing strategies, nutritional advice or efficiency on the bike.
Keagan brings youthful drive, technical skill, and a deep understanding of modern race dynamics. Whether it’s a high-speed gravel grinder or a multi-day stage race, Keagan thrives where grit meets flow.
Together on the Trails
While Arno and Keagan have battled it out as competitors, they’ve also teamed up in iconic races — making them a rare coaching duo that understands both collaboration and competition. Between them, they’ve tackled nearly every top-tier race on the Southern African calendar, and now, they’re ready to pass that knowledge on to you.
Expect a mix of structured training, live trail feedback, tactical insight, and real-world preparation — all in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere designed to help you grow.