In the world of international long-distance racing, the big names are often the stars. Think of Jelle Jellema, Batenburg vd Merwe, or Verweij de Haan. Names tied to major auction houses, winning prizes, and rapidly drawing attention from the international pigeon world. But in 2024, things are different: the best international long-distance pigeon with two prizes does not come from the lofts of these celebrities. No, the list is led by enthusiasts who have achieved outstanding results through passion and dedication. Let’s take a closer look at the top four. What makes this ranking so special is that it’s not the usual celebrities dominating the list. It’s enthusiasts like Nico Pronk and Rigter Gertjan who prove that with dedication, good preparation, and a top pigeon, anything is possible.
The fact that Jan de Wijs & Son, “The Real Pigeon Boss,” is also part of this story makes it even better.
And The Winners Are!
- Nico Pronk - Mill
The undisputed number 1 in the ranking is Nico Pronk from Mill. With pigeon NL21-2141053, he achieved an impressive 0.547% coefficient. His performances in the ZLU races Barcelona (5,387 pigeons) and Narbonne (4,672 pigeons) are truly remarkable. Additionally, Nico Pronk secured prizes 3 and 23, further cementing his dominance in 2024. - Rigter Gertjan - Amstelveen
In second place, we find Rigter Gertjan from Amstelveen. His pigeon NL20-1365615 covered impressive distances in Perpignan (1,060.362 km) and Barcelona (1,210.947 km), achieving a 0.596% coefficient to claim second place. Furthermore, Rigter Gertjan secured prizes 8 and 22, a fantastic achievement. - Jan Polder - Middelharnis
Third place goes to Jan Polder from Middelharnis with his NL22-8432277. Jan’s performances in Narbonne and Barcelona earned him a coefficient of 0.634%. He also won prizes 8 and 20, emphasizing his consistency in long-distance racing. - J.M. de Wijs & Son - Den Hoorn
And of course, in fourth place: J.M. de Wijs & Son from Den Hoorn, better known as “The Real Pigeon Boss.” Their pigeon NL20-1436422 delivered outstanding performances, flying 1,172.047 km in Barcelona and 1,021.972 km in Perpignan. With a coefficient of 0.765%, they rightly earned their spot in the top four of 2024. Additionally, they secured prizes 20 and 17, an achievement most big names can only dream of.
World-Class ZLU Races
The races these champions competed in were of world-class quality. With Barcelona (5,325 pigeons), Narbonne (4,672 pigeons), and Perpignan (4,360 pigeons) as the stage, these pigeons had to battle not only the distances but also the fierce competition. Yet, they managed to shine time and again.
Conclusion2024 will be remembered as the year when the outsiders surpassed the big names. These achievements are an inspiration for the entire pigeon sport. They show that true quality always rises to the top, regardless of name or status. Hats off to the champions of 2024!
Up to 2025!
Your In racing Pigeon Passion,
Jan de Wijs
The Real Pigeon Boss
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