Bart Van Olmen (Broechem) wins 1st Provincial Barcelona Antwerp against 761 pigeons

The legendary Barcelona race once again captivated thousands of fanciers, but it was in Broechem where something truly special happened. On Saturday at 09:17, Bart Van Olmen clocked the first provincial winner of Antwerp. His BE19-6129870, a checkered cock and first nominated of his small Barcelona team, came home in style. The result? 1st Provincial Antwerp against 761 pigeons, 6th National against 5,819 pigeons, and the coveted Silver Wing from the Bruges Barcelona Club.

Remarkably, Bart wasn't home at the time. “I was stopped at a red light in Massenhoven when my wife called to say a pigeon had arrived. I turned the car around and rushed home. Later, I still went to train the youngsters in Zemst – he was home after all .”

Built success, not a lucky shot

The winning cock, nicknamed “Witpen,” is no stranger to the long-distance stage. Last year he already placed 35th Provincial Barcelona and now confirms with a brilliant victory. He’s a true marathon bird, with 20 prizes on the long distance, including results on Perpignan, Marseille, Limoges and Valence.

Bart: “I always thought Barcelona was too hard for my birds. That’s why this victory means even more. Agen was also great this year, with 6 out of 6, but losing three of my 2020 cocks still hurts. I don't have many birds, so every loss is felt.”

Down-to-earth approach

Bart combines pigeon racing with a busy job. "After the death of my father, I continued to play on the lofts at my parental house for a while, but I was rarely at home. That's why I built a loft at my own home. No breeders but youngsters from the racers, little fuss: everything flies. I play on the nest and pair in early February." His approach is simple but effective. Lots of training, lots of kilometres.

A quiet force with a steady hand

Bart Van Olmen embodies the quiet strength of pigeon racing. No big words, no expensive systems, but a thoughtful, consistent approach in which simplicity and discipline are central. His success is no accident, but the result of years of dedication, miles of training and confidence in a limited but solid stock. With his victory in Barcelona, he not only achieved a top-level sporting performance, but also confirmed that passion, common sense and know-how can still lead to the greatest victories.

Maarten Herbots