On Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, the M18 race in Dutch Region 7 took off from Morlincourt-Noyon. With 12,757 pigeons from 473 fanciers released at 7:35 AM, the conditions were mild: light cloud cover, a weak northeast wind, and a temperature of 14°C. The race covered 326 kilometers—and it delivered a phenomenal result.
The spotlight belongs to Comb. Nielen v. Rossum, who didn’t just win this massive competition—they did it in style. Their first nominated pigeon clocked in as the 1st overall, an extraordinary feat that speaks volumes about their skill, system, and sharp race sense.
A Victory Built on Precision
The winning bird, with ring number 3-9188846, covered the 326.203 km at an average speed of 1272.243 m/min, arriving home at 11:51:24 AM. The margin to the second-place bird was just 7 seconds. Selecting your first-nominated pigeon and seeing it win against nearly 13,000 competitors? That’s pigeon racing mastery.
A Race Breakdown of Dominance
Comb. Nielen v. Rossum delivered a stunning overall performance:
- 19 prize positions in the top 4144.
- High ranks including 1st, 9th, 158th, 386th, 394th, 602nd, 758th, and many more.
- Over 90% prize ratio based on their entries.
- Winning speeds ranged from 1272 m/min to 1095 m/min, showcasing consistency and depth.
Meet the Champions: Hans & Bert
Behind this elite result lies a humble but powerful partnership. Hans (60) works construction and starts early every day. Due to health issues in 2024, he unexpectedly found himself with more time at home—a change he turned into opportunity. That time now fuels his passion for pigeons, cared for in a modest 5-meter loft housing 13 hens, 13 cocks, and about 35 youngsters.
The breeding loft is in the hands of Bert (68), now retired, who manages around 12 breeding pairs. Their loft lines are built on proven genetics: Calis, Robin Rigter, Roy Vos, and a key hen from Jan Reichholdt. Recent reinforcements came from Peter Crans and Nico van Schaik, with 2025 seeing new additions from Hans Hak (Maurik) and the renowned Johan den Hartog & son (Culemborg).
It’s a shining example of dedication, teamwork, and intelligent breeding—proving that big results can come from small setups when guided by experience and love for the sport.
Race Summary and Stats
- Liberation point: Morlincourt-Noyon
- Date: May 3, 2025
- Distance: 326 km
- Release time: 07:35 AM
- Weather: Light clouds, NE wind, 14°C
- Total pigeons: 12,757
- Participants: 473 fanciers
- Winning speed: 1272.243 m/min
- Top 10 results by Comb. Nielen v. Rossum: 1st and 9th
- Total prizes won: 19
- Prize ratio: Over 90%
- Highlight: 1st nominated pigeon wins 1st place overall
From Coupon to Champion
What makes this story even more remarkable—and a true celebration of what pigeon racing is all about—is the origin of the winning pigeon. This top performer wasn’t bought for thousands of euros or imported from abroad. Instead, it came from a simple coupon won by Hans from none other than Alex Meijboom of Huizen. That’s the beauty of our sport: with good care, a sharp eye, and a bit of faith, even a pigeon from a local coupon can grow into a national champion. It’s proof that success in pigeon racing isn’t about budget—it’s about passion, patience, and the right partnerships.
In pigeon racing, selecting your first-nominated bird is about more than luck—it’s a statement. Comb. Nielen v. Rossum didn’t just win the race. They proved that with passion, precision, and trust in your pigeons, even a small loft can rise to the very top.
Untill the next blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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