In Scherpenheuvel, nearly 1,000 old birds were basketed again this weekend. Below you will find the number of old birds entered per race:
– Momignies: 91 old birds
– Soissons: 386 old birds
– Toury: 521 old birds
Under ideal weather conditions – sunny and pleasantly warm – the pigeons could be released on time at all liberation sites.
Momignies – Victory for Geert Van Goolen
The 91 old birds in Momignies were released at 8:10. The victory and second place went to Geert Van Goolen from Aarschot, who clocked his pigeons at 9:39.23 and 9:40.43, achieving a winning speed of 1310.6470 m/min. Third and fourth place went to Walter Lambeets, also from Aarschot, with arrivals at 9:39.22 and 9:40.36.
Geert Van Goolen delivered a flawless performance with 4 prizes from 4 pigeons, just like Peter Vos from Zichem, who also achieved 100% prizes. Guido Broos retains the best old bird from Momignies: 2056093‑2023, with 4 prizes and a coefficient of 25.4300.
Championship standings – Old birds short distance
Louis Verheyen (Scherpenheuvel) – 28 pts
Geert Van Goolen (Aarschot) – 26 pts
Lucien Laevers (Rillaar) – 26 pts
Best old bird Momignies: Guido Broos (Tielt‑Winge) – 4 prizes – coeff. 25.4300
Soissons – Triple victory for Arien – De Keyser – Kaier
Among the 386 old birds from Soissons, the entire podium went to Arien – De Keyser – Kaier from Houwaart. They clocked three pigeons within a few seconds: 10:19.26 – 10:19.31 – 10:19.35, achieving a winning speed of 1322.0344 m/min. The loft from Houwaart confirms its strong form and remains the loft to beat week after week. Fourth place went to Lucien Laevers (Rillaar), fifth to Victor Valvekens (Scherpenheuvel).
Notable performances:
– Lucien Laevers: 5/5 → 100% prizes
– Leon Vrancken: 100% prizes
– Geert Vranken: 100% prizes
– Geert Van Goolen: once again 100% prizes, just like in Momignies
Competition in Scherpenheuvel is clearly exceptionally strong.
Championship standings – Old birds long distance
Lucien Laevers (Rillaar) – 28 pts
Arien – De Keyser – Kaier (Houwaart) – 27 pts
Patrick Rubbens (Tielt‑Winge) – 24 pts
Best old bird Soissons: Arien – De Keyser – Kaier – 4 prizes – coeff. 20.2986
This pigeon has flown in the top ten four times from Soissons.
Toury – Six first prizes for Arien – De Keyser – Kaier
Among the 521 old birds from Toury, the victory once again went to Arien – De Keyser – Kaier, who captured the first six prizes in Houwaart. The winning speed was 1276.2045 m/min. This performance is likely good for 2nd place in sector 2 & 3 of Flemish Brabant against more than 5,000 pigeons. Only a pigeon from Olivier Geyskens (Veerle) was faster and took the sector victory.
Strong performances were also delivered by:
– Roger Didden & Son (Messelbroek): 8 prizes from 10 pigeons → 80%
– Lucien Laevers (Rillaar): 4 prizes from 5 pigeons → 80%
Both lofts confirm their excellent start to the 2026 season.
Championship standings – Old birds middle distance
Arien – De Keyser – Kaier (Houwaart) – 15 pts
Robert Schroeven (Scherpenheuvel) – 14 pts
Gommaire Verbruggen (Scherpenheuvel) – 14 pts
Best middle‑distance old bird: Arien – De Keyser – Kaier – 2 prizes – coeff. 2.0860
SUPERSTAR Old Birds
Louis Verheyen (Scherpenheuvel) – 5 prizes – coeff. 9.76
Lucien Laevers (Rillaar) – 5 prizes – coeff. 9.89
Arien – De Keyser – Kaier (Houwaart) – 4 prizes – coeff. 2.42
Click here for all 2026 results
Click here for the championship standings
Click here for the ace pigeon standings
Click here for the SUPERSTAR Old Birds standings
Preview
Next weekend features the first heavy middle‑distance race: the interprovincial flight from Vierzon for old birds and yearlings. Momignies and Soissons are also on the programme.
Which liberation site will be used for the middle distance in Flemish Brabant remains unclear due to the loss of Angerville.
On Saturday 23 May, the first national race of the season follows: Bourges, once again organised by the Brabantse‑Unie.