When it comes to winning, Marc Vanonckelen from Halen, Belgium, seems to have the formula down to perfection. On May 23rd, 2025, he once again made headlines in the pigeon racing world by claiming 1st Provincial Gien with his yearling hen ‘Fleur’, beating 1,685 yearlings. But the story doesn’t stop there — 'Fleur' also clocked the 3rd fastest time overall against 4,406 pigeons, including old birds.
This wasn’t just another win. It was a powerful performance under harsh conditions — a strong headwind made this race from Gien (roughly 500 km) a true test of stamina, orientation, and heart.
💫 A Small Hen With a Big Heart
'Fleur' delivered a standout performance, pushing through tough air currents with sheer determination. What made her effort even more exceptional is her size — small and compact, but clearly built for the big stage. It was the kind of race where only the toughest pigeons shine — and ‘Fleur’ did exactly that.
🧬 A Champion’s Pedigree
'Fleur' comes from a golden pairing of high-performance bloodlines:
- Father: NL 23-9590698 ‘Double Jerson’ – a half-brother of ‘Remzi’, 1st National Ace Pigeon Long Distance Belgium 2022-2023.
- Mother: NL 23-9579176 ‘Lady Rossi’ – a half-sister to the 3rd National Chalons winner against 5,421 pigeons.
With genetics stemming from legends like 'Jerson', 'Kyara', 'Nieuwe Rossi', and 'Eenoogske' (Leo Heremans), it's no wonder this hen is already making her mark in major competitions.
🤝 K. Post & Son – Pigeon Boss Customer and Trusted Source of Top Talent
One of the most remarkable things about this winning hen is her origin. ‘Fleur’ was bred by K. Post & Son in the Netherlands — a respected fancier and loyal customer of Pigeon Boss. Every year, they send around five carefully selected youngsters to Marc Vanonckelen’s loft. Most of them are hens, and for good reason: Marc races only with yearling hens, believing they give their absolute best in their first full season. It’s also when he enjoys working with them the most. 'Fleur' may be small in size, but she’s full of heart and determination. Her performance in this tough headwind race was nothing short of spectacular — a real testament to her bloodline and spirit.
📊 A Loft of Champions – Marc’s Recent Highlights
Marc’s performance is no coincidence. He’s been on a tear over the past two years, racking up one top result after another. Just a glimpse of his incredible record:
- 🥇 1st Provincial Sourdun – 2,248 pigeons
- 🥇 1st Provincial Argenton – 1,672 pigeons
- 🥇 1st Provincial Bourges – 1,645 pigeons
- 🥇 1st Provincial Souillac – 449 pigeons
- 🥈 2nd National Bourges – 9,922 pigeons with ‘Kopecky’
- 🥈 8th National Souillac – 4,673 pigeons with ‘Milya I’
- 🥈 20th National Argenton – 18,837 pigeons with ‘Lennert’
It’s a level of consistency that only few lofts in Europe can match. Year after year, race after race, Marc proves he’s a fancier at the top of his game.
🛠️ The Vanonckelen System – Simple, Disciplined, Deadly Effective
Behind these results is a rock-solid system built on clarity and care:
- Only hens are raced – keeping focus and reducing variables.
- Winter in the aviary – no pairing, no stress, just rest.
- Daily training starts in January, gradually increasing to 5–6 sessions per week.
- Carefully tailored feeding – Marc uses Beyers mixtures, adjusted to training and recovery phases.
It’s this thoughtful, disciplined approach that keeps his hens in peak mental and physical condition when it matters most.
🏁 Conclusion From The Pigeon Boss
The victory of ‘Fleur’ on the provincial Gien race isn’t just another line on Marc Vanonckelen’s resume. It’s a testament to what happens when talent, preparation, and partnership come together. From the top-tier genetics of K. Post & Son to the razor-sharp system Marc has perfected, every element was in place.
Marc Vanonckelen is not just racing pigeons — he’s raising the standard for the entire sport.
Until the nxt blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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