B21-2073744
1st National Valence 3,852 old birds

Distance: 669km
Velocity: 1,231.99 m/m

We were impressed and then we are talking about the condition in which national Valance winner “Huberta” found herself this few hours after her exploit. Released at Valence at 6:30am, “Huberta” registered at 15h33min and 35 seconds. “I was just in front of the sputnik checking the internet for other Valence arrivals when the letters called out that there was one” Stijn starts his story “because of my ”mistake" she had to make an extra turn around the loft to then land on the sputnik as if the devil was on her heels. Fortunately, this had no adverse effect on the result. "

4th National victory

After 1st International Barcelona, after 1st International Perpignan and after 1st National Pau, now the national victory from Valence was registered. A great reward for the immense effort that Jeroen, Stijn and Rudy put in every day because on a colony with 30 breeding couples and 200 racers (80 old and 120 yearlings) there is more than just work. The marathon races are indicated in fluor on the flight calendar and the pigeons are always played on 10 days of incubation. On this position, both partners always go along. The eggs of the best racers are moved and the others are removed. 
At the end of April, the racers come together and stay that way until Perpignan. After the season, from the best racers, youngsters are ringed and once this round is finished, all pigeons stay inside because the bird of prey is lurking every day. We could see that even at the moment of our visit. Some youngsters were flying outside and the bird of prey - who lives in a nesting box in a factory further away - plucked one out of the air just like that. Everyone cursed, but there is simply nothing to be done. 
Starting in mid-March, the training baskets are brought out and in about 4 stages it's off towards 40km. During the season, only about 5 days before basketing for a long distance race, the pigeons are driven 40km far to give them a good training.
In terms of care, it is mainly Stijn who limns the lines in which football is played. Stijn - also a well-known veterinarian - always plays close to the ball and follows his own strategy. A notable element in the care is that they are fed 3 times a day and this completely according to Stijn's feeling.
 

The stress at the Rans home is palpable because the race of all races, Barcelona international, will be beaten within a few weeks. As the Rans team already achieved a national victory, the condition of the racing team will be better. 
If “Huberta” will also see the release place of Barcelona is still to be seen. We suspect that they will sleep more than one night. 

Stefan Mertens

Stefan Mertens