The international winners of Barcelona (int.) 2024 are Tijmen u. Willem Koele (Wezep, Netherlands).
The pigeon was captured on Saturday at 4:51:36 a.m. with an average speed of 1321.17 meters/min. after a flight of 1244.54 km.

The annual flight from Barcelona has always been a big eye-catcher in the international pigeon racing calendar. This year, 17,109 pigeons from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom were basketed for this royal race (more than 500 more than in 2023). And this year the fight was also extremely exciting: Who would win this ultimate classic? The surprising winners are the father-son team Tijmen (68) and Willem (39) Koele from the pigeon village of Wezep in Gelderland. And to complete the story, you not only win first place, but you also take second and third place! To my knowledge, the entire Barcelona international results podium has never been won by the same breeders. With this fantastic performance, father and son Koele made history last weekend!

Willem says: “I saw the reports on Friday evening and thought if we want to win the flight we have to start tomorrow morning. At midnight I looked at the batting, but there was nothing there. At 3 a.m. I got up and sat in the kitchen, from where I have a good view of the dovecotes. It became light and I saw the reports from Bressols in the early hours of the morning. We also had pigeons on this flight. At 4:51 a.m. I saw a pigeon fall through the kitchen window like a stone. He fell on the wrong trip. At first I thought it was a pigeon from Bressols, but as I got closer I saw that it was NL 20-1239585, a pigeon from Barcelona that still looked fit. I was shocked. The clock read 04:51:36. The winner, a blue bird, previously flew a 47th Bergerac against 4,153 p.n. stated at 2:58 a.m.! He was placed on a 7 day old boy. The father is “de 004”, a great flyer and breeder from the cross Henri Hoeks x Gerrit Jan van Vilsteren. Mother is 17-738, a trade pigeon from the Jan Ouwerkerk line Super 88 x Dirk van Hofwegen.

Then I quickly woke up my father. Almost ten minutes later two more pigeons fell, both from Barcelona. They didn't want to enter the loft. The first of the two to arrive was NL21-1659731, a hammered female who went on 14 day eggs and really gave it her all. She is now also doing the 1st Int. in the females. She previously flew, among other things, a 46th Bergerac against 2,898 pigeons and was now registered at 05:10:45. The father is “Kweek 187” from the best family of Arjan Beens and Gerrit Jan van Vilsteren. Mother is 15-268 1st NPO Limoges 2019 from Henri Hoeks. The second, the NL 20-1102457n hammered female finally runs over the antenna at 5:23:15 am. This showed hardly any signs of fatigue. She is paired with the first pigeon from Barcelona and is 100% Arjan Beens. The father is “Jelle Goud”, a grandson of Zwart Goud and Snelle Jelle. Mother is granddaughter of Snelle Jelle and Olympic Miss Gijsje. “The 457” flew the 119th National Barcelona in 2023.

My father and I were completely exhausted. Three pigeons from Barcelona in such a short time and the first three entries. A few more exciting hours followed until the final placement was determined. Meanwhile, comments and congratulations poured in. Potential buyers also came forward, but father and son Koele made it clear that they wanted to take it easy before making a decision.”

Tijmen and Willem Koele began taking part in marathon flights seriously in 2005, before which the traditional program was also successfully played. On their debut in the overnight flights they were able to record three pigeons during the night. Their base pigeons come from Arjan Beens, Gerrit Jan van Vilsteren and Henri Hoeks. Pigeons from Rik Ros and Jan Ouwerkerk were also added. Pigeons were bought specifically for Barcelona by Coen van Haarlem, Kees Niesten and Heikamp-van Doorn. The latest purchase is pigeons from C. & G. Koopman. The travel team for the marathon flights consists of 60 pigeons that fly on nest. The food comes from Beyers, Koopman All in One and Energy. To maintain proper weight, rice and barley are added at the beginning of the season. You train once a day. Excellent results have been achieved in recent years. For example, in 2018 they were already national champions in the long distance and were regularly able to achieve top results.

One day after the flight, Tijmen and Willem are still full of adrenaline. Impressed by the many reactions in our own club, the wider region and actually across the country. And not to forget the wonderful honors in our own club “De Duivenvriend” Wezep and in the NIC Borne, where the pigeons were basketed. I see and feel the emotions of both men as I say goodbye. I am very impressed to witness this almost unthinkable success.

Congratulations again guys and above all have fun!

Those: zlu.nl – Gerrit van Eikenhorst