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Maarten De Boe (Schendelbeke): 1st Provincial and 3rd National Pau

27 Jun 2025

In 2023, the international pigeon world made full acquaintance with fancier Maarten De Boe from Schendelbeke (Geraardsbergen district). His ‘Little Sonia’ won the 1st national ace pigeon title KBDB long-distance. A first milestone in Maarten's pigeon career and if we analyse his ‘way to the top’ it will not be his last top result. 

Last year, under leaden conditions, Maarten's ‘Marseillo’ (B22-4116591) won 1st prize provincial and 4th national and now last weekend it was ‘Little Waldo’ (B22-4116560) who won 1st provincial and 3rd national Pau on a 7-day-old youngster (day of arrival). Spicy detail... back this win was won in leaden conditions. 

‘Little Waldo’ has the ‘winning genes’ in him as he is a half-brother, same mother, as 1st national ace pigeon ‘Little Sonia’. Another nice story concerning the father of ‘Little Waldo’ . This one was taken from Dirk Martens. He was in a basket together with 3 other youngsters. Dirk remarked that the ‘black one’ did not grow up well. ‘You shouldn't take that one, you won't get far with such pigeons.’ Dirk let slip, but Maarten ignored his remark and took him anyway. Look... he is now the father of some promising pigeons with ‘Little Waldo’. Isn't it all in the genes, our provincial Pau winner sometimes wonders. 

A yes... ‘Little Waldo’ will now be used for either Narbonne or Marseille. All depends on how smoothly his hen lays again. 

For Pau, Maarten had 23 pigeons basketed and these are the results:

Pau '25 Denderbond Ninove - 143 oude duiven
1-11-12-14-15-17-21-30-32-36 (10/23)

Pau '25 FCD 385 oude duiven
1-22-23-27-29-32-52-74-86-99 (10/23)

Pau '25 O-Vl Provinciaal- 802 oude duiven
1-70-73-77-83-88-152-192-222-235 (10/23)

Pau '25 Nationaal - 3028 oude duiven
3-223-224-245-249-260-499-643-745

 

Tossing, Tossing, Tossing

Maarten: "I started the season with a group of 40 old and 55 yearling pigeons. In previous seasons my marathon pigeons saw the inside of a racing basket every week from the 1st Quievrain flight (42km - inter-provincial release) up to and including the first national flight from Bourges, but this year I took a different approach. It was from the 2nd Quievrain flight that I was at the basketing table but afterwards the less good/ideal weather started to throw a spanner in the works. It could be predicted that pigeons would be released a day later than planned and given the predicted rain on the first national race from Bourges, I fortunately did not basket any pigeons. In other words, the preparation was done in a totally different way and resulted in ‘driving, driving and driving again’.

This year I chose to drive the pigeons almost every day. Either very early in the morning and then the racing team trained for an hour in the evening or they trained for an hour in the morning and I released the pigeons in the evening. I always drove towards Namen and released the pigeons either 45 or 80km away. In a manner of speaking, I have already worn out four tyres by always releasing those pigeons. Even if I say so myself, I did not spare any effort. There were days I left at 5.30 in the morning, unloaded at 6.30 and by 8.30 I was already at work. Fortunately, all my efforts are rewarded. 

In terms of nutrition, there has also been a change. Given the many training sessions, I chose to feed more high-fat. I am 100% in favour of Versele-Laga's Plus IC mixtures. First there is Gerry Plus IC on the menu but afterwards a mix of Champion Plus IC, Energy Plus IC and Master R Exclusive goes into the feeder. I am more than satisfied with the latter mix in particular. When pigeons train a lot, they need the right food. 

From a medical point of view, I consult Wim Boddaert and his advice is strictly followed. 

As far as by-products are concerned, I use Röhnfried's products. Their schedule from the catalogue is followed blindly.

Highlights 2022-2025

1. National Ace KBDB Marathon old birds '23
1. World Best Pigeon Marathon KBDB ‘23 
2. World Best Pigeon Marathon FCI ‘23
1. National Zone Pau '23 (13. National)
1. National Zone Narbonne '23 (6. National)
1. Provincial Marseille '24 (4. National)
1. Provincial Pau '25 (3. National) 

 

Maarten, best of luck from the entire Herbots team

 

Stefan Mertens