🚀 The Final Showdown of the Season Explodes with Power!
On Friday, August 1st at 09:45 AM, the pigeons were released from Perpignan, France, for the last and arguably most prestigious marathon race of the season. With 3,643 Dutch pigeons from 467 fanciers entered nationally and a staggering 11,860 birds participating internationally, this was no ordinary race – it was the grande finale of European long-distance racing.
Despite the +1,100 km distances and early morning liberation, it turned out to be a fast and fair battle. High speeds, clean skies, and strong arrivals across the board.
And who claimed the ultimate crown in this showdown of titans? None other than Heikamp & van Doorn from Zetten, clocking their bird at 07:47:42 AM, flying 1,055.75 km at a blistering 1190.66 m/min.
Let’s be crystal clear: not just 1st National Netherlands, but 1st International Perpignan 2025 – beating 11,860 pigeons from across Europe. 💥💥💥
👑 “Miss Perpignan” – Born for Gold
The winning hen, NL22-8268412, now carries a name you won’t forget anytime soon: “Miss Perpignan.” This fearless grey powerhouse didn’t just win – she obliterated the field and etched her name in the history books.
Already a proven warrior with:
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260th Nat. Barcelona '25
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517th Nat. Narbonne '24
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886th Nat. Pau '24
Her win in Perpignan was the final confirmation: this is a hen made for the classics.
Her pedigree? Straight fire. Fathered by “De 389” from Appie Pas, a pigeon with top finishes in Perpignan, Marseille, and Barcelona. Her dam is a granddaughter of the legendary “Dow Leo 2,” who descends from “Sumerian Fighter”, 1st International Barcelona against 17,094 birds.
Add to that pure-bred bloodlines from Bennie de Vries, Jellema, Leo Kouters, and Frans Bungeneers, and you get a pigeon with elite DNA for the toughest races. 🧬🔥
💪 Heikamp & van Doorn: Masters of the Marathon
Make no mistake – this was no fluke.
Piet Heikamp (70, a retired army man) and Marco van Doorn (29, a poultry vet) joined forces in 2020, forming one of the most consistent and dangerous marathon teams in the Netherlands. In 2024, they claimed the Criterium der Azen title at Marathon Noord – a feat only three fanciers achieved, requiring 100% scores on Agen, Barcelona, and Perpignan.
That kind of consistency is no accident. It’s the result of elite selection, sharp planning, and absolute dedication to the marathon game. Their loft is built on proven legends – no hype, no shortcuts. Just pure results.
And with “Miss Perpignan” leading the charge, they now add the highest international honor in pigeon racing to their name. 🥇🌍
🔟 National Top 10 – The Elite of the Elite
- Heikamp & van Doorn (Zetten) – 1190.66 m/min
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Jelle Jellema (Nijverdal) – 1187.21 m/min
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C.J. de Heijde (Made) – 1117.31 m/min
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Arjan Beens (Genemuiden) – 1110.71 m/min
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Jelle Jellema (Nijverdal) – 1105.89 m/min
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Piet van de Merwe (Dordrecht) – 1087.50 m/min
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A. van Leuken (Nistelrode) – 1071.16 m/min
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G. Rigter (Amstelveen) – 1055.89 m/min
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Peter Oele (Oudelande) – 1052.20 m/min
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H. Radstaak (Gaanderen) – 1042.57 m/min
Special mention for Jelle Jellema, placing multiple birds in the national top 30 – a testament to his consistency. And Arjan Beens once again shows his class with top placements.
📊 Performance Analysis: One Hen, Three Races, One Message
“Miss Perpignan” wasn’t just the fastest – she was one of the only hens in the country to score in all three major marathon races: Pau, Narbonne, and Barcelona. This Perpignan victory? The cherry on top.
Heikamp & van Doorn clocked 3 prizes out of 21 pigeons, including 1st National and 1st International. That’s elite-level precision flying. Small team, big results – marathon philosophy done right.
🧠 The Verdict from The Pigeon Boss
Let me be crystal clear: this is marathon racing at its absolute best. What Heikamp & van Doorn delivered here isn’t luck or coincidence. It’s years of dedication, razor-sharp selection, disciplined preparation, and the courage to go head-to-head with the best – with a small, deadly team.
“Miss Perpignan” isn’t just a winning bird – she’s a symbol of everything that makes our sport great. In an era of noise, these guys let results do the talking. 1st National. 1st International. BOOM. These are the moments that keep pigeon sport alive and legendary.
Massive respect, gentlemen – and thank you on behalf of every fancier who got goosebumps this weekend. 🫡🔥
Until the next blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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