When the early morning sun rises over the lofts in Berlaar, the Belgian pigeon world collectively holds its breath. Last Sunday, April 19, 2026, it happened again. While many fanciers were still enjoying their first cup of coffee, Wim de Troy was busy making history. This was not just another victory, it was a statement of pure, unfiltered class that sent shivers down the spines of the competition.
The Lightning Start of 2026: Outperforming 4,794 Birds
The race from Noyon served as the absolute litmus test for the yearlings this weekend. With a massive field of 4,794 pigeons and no fewer than 430 competing fanciers in the Antwerpen Centraal federation, the pressure was immense. At exactly 12:00:00, the crates opened for what would become a heroic battle.
The conditions were beautiful yet deceptive. A crystal blue sky was accompanied by a biting wind from the northeast. For the flight path toward Berlaar, this meant a harsh headwind mixed with a side wind. These are the moments when true athletes separate themselves from the rest. Wim’s winning pigeon, BE6045053.25, tore through the sky at a blistering speed of 1594.9 meters per minute. This statistic proves that the De Troy colony is currently operating at a level that feels almost supernatural.
The System Behind the Success: Chaos with a Capital C
How does Wim manage this time and time again? The secret in Berlaar is a combination of ruthless selection and his famous chaos method. Wim plays on total widowhood but chooses not to let the pigeons raise any young before the season starts. In March, the birds come together briefly, and after that, the psychological game begins.
Upon basketing, the sliding door opens and passion is allowed to run wild. That drive translates directly into speed on the landing board. But make no mistake, behind that chaos lies iron discipline. Wim is a grandmaster at training his birds. They are taken out for midweek tosses constantly to keep their edge and motivation at a boiling point.
A Pedigree of Gold and Eternal Glory
While the Noyon victory has fans at PigeonBoss.com buzzing, it is merely the latest chapter in an epic that has lasted for years. Wim de Troy treats national results like his own personal playground. Just look at the legendary stunts from the past:
1st and 2nd National Limoges II (2025) against 4,695 old birds, with “Black Magic” being the fastest of the entire liberation.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd National Argenton (2020) against 23,280 pigeons, a feat still regarded as one of the most impressive displays in modern racing history.
1st National Bourges II (2024) with the phenomenal hen “Elanor.”
1st National Champion KBDB Great Middle Distance Young Birds (2016).
The Genetic Blueprint: The Keesboer Line
Everything in Berlaar stands or falls with the breeding foundation. The bloodlines of the foundation pair Keesboer 863 x Manuella are now world famous. This gold is not only successful in Berlaar. The list of verified references is endless. Top fanciers like Kris Cleirbaut and Theo Weytjens are flying the lights out with descendants from these lines. Even the prestigious PIPA Elite Center (PEC) knew they had to go to Berlaar for genuine reinforcements to take their own strain to a higher level.
Joy as the Greatest Motivator
What makes Wim de Troy so special is the bravado and the genuine joy with which he experiences his sport. Together with his son Steven and wife Marianne, he forms a team that shows how top level performance and fun can go hand in hand. He is a true ambassador for our hobby, proving with every victory just how beautiful pigeon racing can be.
The victory last weekend at Noyon is only the beginning. If this trend continues, 2026 will be a year where we see the name Wim de Troy at the very top of the national tables very often. Hold on tight, because the Berlaar express has no intention of slowing down!
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
More About Wim
