What a few weeks it has been. Now that the dust around Barcelona 2026 has finally settled and I have had some time to reflect, it is time to look at the balance. If I am being completely honest, the results should have been better. But anyone who knows me knows that I always experience this beautiful sport with a healthy dose of bravado and, above all, with huge pleasure.
And there is fantastic news that instantly pushes any sporting disappointment right into the background: all three of our basketed stars, Storm Chaser, Juliette, and Returned Girl, are safely back in the loft in Delft!
The Ironclad Barcelona Bloodline
The most important lesson from this edition? The bloodlines that I have trusted blindly for years can handle the grueling distance of nearly 1200 kilometers with ease. They can do it, they show it, and they prove they can fly in the prizes.
Of course, the sport always remains a game of “what if.” Take our powerhouse Storm Chaser. He already proved his absolute class in 2025 by winning the 140th National Barcelona. What would have happened if he had not been attacked by a bird of prey along the way? Without that brutal encounter, we might have scored a 100% prize rate this year.
We will never know for sure, but I refuse to dwell on it. I prefer to hold on to the positive thought that he was flying straight towards a beautiful classification before the attack took place. He is back home, he is recovering, and that is what matters!
Dominate the Races with the Ultimate System
The Road to Barcelona 2027: BAM!
In pigeon racing, standing still is not an option. My mindset is always unconditionally focused on the future! The road to Barcelona 2027 is long, but we are already giving it everything we have got. The goal? Preparing our three experienced warriors to dominate again next year!
And we will not be heading that way with a small group. If everything goes according to plan, our Barcelona squad will be significantly larger next year. We are aiming for a rock solid racing team of around 8 pigeons! BAM! Just thinking about it gets me incredibly excited. What a wonderful prospect!
Building Experience with the Stars of the Future
Our focus immediately shifts back to building up the younger generation. This week, we are basketing for Bierges for the first time since Barcelona. No heavy marathon, but simply getting them into the rhythm and putting some essential training kilometers in their wings.
Dreaming, hoping, breeding, and constantly tweaking the perfect system remains one of the absolute best things about our sport. It is a magnificent tactical chess match where we continue to build the champions of tomorrow.
Let us all keep hoping!
A Short Break: Off to the Italian Sun
Finally, a quick administrative announcement. I am packing my bags this week to enjoy a well deserved vacation with my family in beautiful Italy. This means that, as a highly exceptional case, there will be no Loft Insider next week! Time to recharge the batteries so we can start again with fresh energy and full power!
I want to wish everyone basketing this weekend the absolute best of luck on the races. Enjoy the suspense, take great care of your beautiful pigeons, cherish your family, and make it an absolute top weekend!
To the next update and sporting regards,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
