Speed flights leave no room for hesitation. One missed line, one slow reaction and the race is gone.
From Reims, Huub Hermans Pigeons delivered the answer that champions give. Huub basketed 50 late youngsters and won 23 prizes in Samenspel S.P.C., including 2nd, 9th, 10th and 14th against 316 pigeons.
That is a prize rate of 46%.
High Velocity from Reims
The 316 pigeons were released in Reims at 08:20 on Aug 29, 2026. They faced 235.375 kilometres to the Hermans loft in Born.
With a southwesterly wind helping the pigeons on their northeastward route, this became a rapid contest. The first Hermans pigeon arrived at 10:33:23 and recorded 1,764.649 metres per minute.
This was not a race for slow starters. It demanded orientation, explosive speed and immediate commitment.
The leading youngster, NL26 8257706M, claimed 2nd prize. Just over four minutes later, two more Hermans athletes secured 9th and 10th.
All 23 Prizes from Reims
2, 9, 10, 14, 20, 35, 41, 43, 56, 69, 77, 78, 79, 80, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93, 94, 98 and 100 against 316 pigeons, representing a powerful prize percentage of 46%.
The depth becomes even clearer in the final arrival wave. Thirteen prize winners landed between 10:48:35 and 10:51:29.
Thirteen prizes in only two minutes and 54 seconds.
That is a loft exploding into life.
Huub Hermans Dominates the Natour Ace Pigeon Standings
The Natour ace pigeon championship after Reims shows the real strength of these late youngsters. Huub occupies seven positions inside the first fourteen.
- 1st with NL26 8257519, scoring 3,130.2 points
- 2nd with NL26 8257515, scoring 3,125.2 points
- 4th with NL26 8257874, scoring 2,964.9 points
- 5th with NL26 8257865, scoring 2,637.5 points
- 10th with NL26 8257753, scoring 2,532.8 points
- 11th with NL26 8257883, scoring 2,521.2 points
- 14th with NL26 8257849, scoring 2,383.6 points
Huub puts that exceptional position into perspective himself:
“I only race late youngsters, while some others will continue with old birds only.”
That makes this championship assault even more impressive. These are inexperienced late youngsters competing in a program where established old birds can still enter the battle.
Four Performances That Define 2026
With the auction season approaching, four results demonstrate the racing and breeding value behind Huub Hermans Pigeons.
- 1st Provincial Argenton against 2,759 pigeons over 585 kilometres with NL22 8647503M
- 2nd Provincial Sens against 11,443 pigeons over 363 kilometres
- 5th Provincial and 6th NPO Issoudun over 532 kilometres, with 16 prizes from 24 entries against 4,893 pigeons
- 3rd Provincial Reims against 8,572 pigeons, supported by 20 prizes from 36 entries
These performances cover speed, middle distance and one day long distance. That versatility is exactly why Hermans pigeons continue to attract attention far beyond Limburg.
Selection Creates Champions
The system in Born is built around relentless selection. Approximately two thirds of the colony must leave each year. Only pigeons with natural health, racing intelligence and the ability to reach the front survive that examination.
The foundation includes the renowned Van Loon family, strengthened with bloodlines from Dirk van Dyck and Pieter Veenstra. Icons such as Blue Magic, Super 006, Super 015 and the Teletext Breeding Couple helped establish an international dynasty whose descendants have delivered national victories, ace pigeon titles and Olympiad performances around the world.
Reims added another powerful chapter. Twenty three prizes, four pigeons inside the first fourteen and seven positions among the leading fourteen Natour ace pigeons.
Huub Hermans Pigeons are not simply participating in the 2026 Natour. They are setting the standard and showing exactly why pigeon racing deserves its place among the world’s most fascinating elite sports.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
