B24-2062061
1st National Argenton 13,988 yearbirds - fastest of 25,545b.

Distance: 539km
Velocity: 1,474.70 m/m

Argenton national, the 2nd national great middle distance race of the 2025 season, was allowed to sit in the baskets a day longer and was only released on Sunday. A total of 25,545 pigeons were basketted and winner was B24-2062061 who finished with an average speed of 1,474.70 m/m.

The name Lossignol certainly does not sound unfamiliar to the ears. Last year they were ‘Golden Pigeon’ winner Belgium, a title reserved for only the very best. Michel has the full support of Geert Vlaeyen (takes care of the breeders) and in the past, Leon Kemerlinckx also joined the team. Unfortunately, Leon passed away at the end of January, so this victory is one for him.

Cocks and hens

For the 2025 season, Michel had 16 widowers and 16 racing hens under his care. The widowers are played on classic widowhood (with partner staying at home), while with the racing hens some partners also see the inside of a basket on a weekly basis. Sometimes they do dare to leave the partner of a strong flying hen at home, although this is not a fixed rule either as the partner of the national winner is still played. 

On 1 January, the racers were paired. Eggs from the better breeding couples are shifted and all racers raise a nest of youngsters. 

Once in early March the daily training sessions were started and a month later the racers completed their first training flights. It is striking that the racing hens train together with the youngsters because otherwise the group is too small and there is little training. Michel has trained his hens in such a way that when he shakes his pot of ‘nuts’ the hens leave the group of youngsters and enter their loft. 

In terms of feed, Matador mixtures are on the menu. In terms of motivation, the racers always get to see their partner on basketing day.

Promising youngster

The national winner was a very promising youngster. She won among others 

106th Nat. Bourges 26,549d   
270th Nat. Vierzon 16,872b. 
15th Argenton 757d. . 

She thus crowned herself as 37th national ace KBDB youngsters.

For her national win this year she won:
8th Lorris 1,565d. (1st local 155d.)
70th Soissons 1,135d.
80th Lorris 4,449d.
86th Melun 3,595d.
285th Toury 4,895d.
2,500th National Bourges 17,289d.

Voila... the headline is off... the first national win for Michel and Geert is a fact. It will not surprise us that it will not be the last national win. 

Stefan Mertens

Stefan Mertens