On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the skies over Zeeland witnessed another masterclass in pigeon racing. The race from Melun Andrezel—a distance of 327 kilometers to Middelburg—featured 8,675 pigeons in the competition. With ideal conditions, a 7:15 AM liberation, and a gentle eastern breeze, it was a perfect day for racing. And yet, one fancier stood head and shoulders above the rest: Gijs Baan.
A Dominant Victory
Gijs’ winning pigeon, NL.24-2405451, clocked in at 11:07:50 with a stunning velocity of 1405.595 m/min, the fastest of the entire race. But it wasn’t just a victory—it was total dominance. Gijs entered 44 pigeons, and 39 of them won prizes. That’s an astonishing 88.6% prize percentage.
And the depth of his result? Simply breathtaking: at least 23 prize-winning pigeons placed in the top 200, including 6 in the first 60 positions. A performance that leaves no doubt: this is a loft in absolute top form.
How It All Started
As a young boy, Gijs Baan loved playing football and was always out on the streets. After school, his friends would rush home—not for homework, but to feed their pigeons. Gijs had to wait, watching them take care of their birds. And that’s when the pigeon bug bit him.
He started with a small loft, like many do. But space at home was limited, so he formed a successful partnership with Dick Beekman. Back then, there was no phone at Dick’s loft, so whenever a pigeon returned, Gijs had to sprint to his parents’ grocery store to call in the arrival time. That memory—the thrill of seeing a speck in the sky, the heartbeat rising, the joy when the pigeon hits the trap—still gives him goosebumps today.
A Loft Built on Purpose
Unlike many lofts, Gijs Baan’s isn’t a mix of random bloodlines. His program racing pigeons are based on a strong, consistent breeding base—a foundation that began thanks to a funny twist of fate.
While doing a work internship, Martin Borremans told Gijs about his pigeons. Jokingly, Gijs asked for some eggs. Martin, along with Peter Sr. and Peter Jr. Borremans, gifted him a breeding pair. That pair became the origin of a dynasty.
Each year, Gijs and Peter Borremans exchange pigeons, strengthening both lofts. Add to that superb bloodlines from Merrienboer and Koen Minderhoud, and you get a pigeon family that dominates across generations.
For long-distance overnight races, Gijs has introduced powerful blood from Max de Rijke, Cees Suijkerbuik, Verweij-de Haan, and Gebr. Dingemanse—resulting in an all-round loft that wins at every distance.
Gijs Baan: A True Champion of Zeeland
Gijs hasn’t just won this race—he’s been a household name in Zeeland for well over a decade. His general championships speak volumes:
- 🥇 1st General Champion Zeeland: 2012, 2017, 2022, 2023
- 🥈 2nd General Champion: 2024
- 🥉 3rd General Champion: 2013, 2016, 2019
- Plus multiple top 5 finishes in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2021!
This is not a one-time feat. Gijs Baan is a perennial powerhouse, year after year.
The Heart of a Fancier
What makes Gijs Baan truly special is not just the trophies or the rankings—it’s his unwavering love for the sport. After all these years, he still gets emotional watching his pigeons come home. The same joy, the same adrenaline, the same passion.
As he puts it himself, “That little dot in the sky... wondering if it will trap in one go... and then the buzzer rings. Those are the moments that make pigeon sport priceless.”
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Untill the next blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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