Darkfest 2026: World’s top riders go bigger than ever in Stellenbosch

by Chiraag Davechand
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World’s best mountainbike riders deliver freeride frenzy at Darkfest 2026

The world’s top freeride mountain bikers (MTB) defied the limits of gravity at Darkfest 2026, as the event’s 10th anniversary delivered its biggest, fastest and most progressive edition to date.

Hosted from 14 to 22 March at the Hellsend Dirt Compound on Vuurberg Farm near Stellenbosch, over 30 elite riders gathered for one of the world’s premier freeride MTB events.

Théo Erlangsen, the top South African rider at Darkfest, says: “It really is the most insane set of jumps in the world. The jumps are so big and dangerous, that you actually work together with everyone that you ride with, so it’s competitive in a sense, but you’re competing against yourself, not each other.”

All the jumps for the event were brought to fruition through the work of C-dog and the Trails Crew. Working in the South African heat, they shaped and hand-packed every jump lip and landing to provide the ultimate canvas for the riders to push the limits of the sport.

Sam Reynolds, Darkfest co-founder and professional rider, says: “I am absolutely blown away. To see how far we’ve come in 10 years is insane. This week, the riders took everything we built – the new Rocket, the Falcon Heavy – and absolutely destroyed it. A massive thank you to the Trails Crew for the blood and sweat they put into the dirt, and to our sponsors for believing in this wild dream. We’ve crowned our King and Queen, but honestly, everyone who dropped in this week is a legend.”

The Darkfest 2026 Awards:

After a week of absolute carnage and progression, the riders have spoken. Here are your 2026 award winners:

  • King of Darkness: Alessio ‘Cornflakes’ Tonoli.
  • Queen of Darkness: Natasha Bradley.
  • Insta360 Best Clip: Matt MacDuff (Candy Bar Flip).
  • Muc-Off Filthiest Style: Vero Sandler & Alessio ‘Cornflakes’ Tonoli.
  • Mavrix Moment: Vaea Verbeeck & Alessio ‘Cornflakes’ Tonoli.
  • Kenda Mind Bender: * Elias Ruso (Double Flip on Falcon Heavy).
  • Robin Goomes (Flip Can on the Step-Up).
  • DeWalt Best Run: Tom Isted & Natasha Bradley.

Featured Image: Supplied

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