Cousaert - Willems (Maarkedal) win the Golden Wing Barcelona 2022

The Barcelona 2022 edition will go down in history as one of the toughest and most honest races of the last few years. The pigeons were released with very nice weather and in the most favourable conditions.  However, everyone knew that the entrance into France would not be a pleasure ride.  The mistral was blowing hard in the Rhone valley and the tramontana was also wreaking havoc in the Languedoc-Rousillon.
Whichever direction the pigeons chose to fly over the Pyrenees or alongside it, it would be a tough fight. In cycling terms, this sounds like "with your hands in the stirrups".  The weather on the way was sunny, warm and mostly with the wind on the beak. Keihard.... There are few synonyms available for these conditions.
No pigeons home on Friday was to be expected, also for the north of France who might have an advantage on the shortest distances.  On Saturday morning, the first announcements arrived in Northern France and soon it appeared that the expectations would be fulfilled, hard and slow.
Until suddenly in Wallonia, a little hen gave everyone the slip and would win the international victory with a big lead. A wonderful achievement.

Who wins the Golden Wing?

For many Belgians who participate with their pigeons in the Barcelona flight, there is a trophy in addition to the national victory that is almost on an equal level, namely the Golden Wing. Every year, the Brugse Barcelonaclub awards the Golden, Silver and Bronze Wing to the 1st released pigeons that reach their loft.
It is practically the champion of champions "with premeditation".  It is a highly coveted trophy that is cherished by the winners as the highest pigeon treasure.Tandem Cousaert-Willems (Maarkedal) wint de Gouden Vleugel
It was at 9.52 minutes and 43 seconds exactly that the 3 year old pigeon Geert ended the last climb to his loft, the Boigneberg in the beautiful Maarkedal in the Flemish Ardennes.  With a little sway, he hoisted himself into pigeon history.
He bridged the distance of 1,035.605 km from Barcelona to Maarkedal at a speed of 878.59 metres per minute. 
The villa of the Cousaert family is beautifully situated on the flanks of the Boigneberg and they have a very nice view of the hills towards Wallonia.  In the distance, you can literally see the border with Wallonia when you see the towers of Dhoppe (La Houpe) in Vloesberg.  It was from that direction that Geert came barreling home, which suggests that he came from the more easterly direction of France....but who knows except Geert himself?
It was then a matter of waiting to see to what extent another pigeon at further distances could improve this exploit.  After some time, it became clear that the winner of the Golden Wing 2022 would live in Maarkedal.
It is with incredible pride that Georges and his family experienced this exploit together with his companion the route Romain Willems.
During the homage by the Brugse Barcelonaclub it was clear that everybody wished them this trophy wholeheartedly.
They are fund raisers in heart and soul, the heavy work is their hobby and nothing else. It is not the tandem of big numbers and big baskets, but of quality and relaxation and pleasure in pigeon racing.
On the beautiful lofts (above the house and garden lofts) the pigeons stay in a true paradise. Plenty of space, good care and the time to mature and grow. This is the way to do pigeon sport, based on a healthy ambition but with the main goal to enjoy pigeon sport.

A beautiful homage by the Brugse Barcelonaclub
What more can you dream of than paying tribute to the winner on a beautiful summer evening on a magnificent domain.  The board of the Brugse Barcelonaclub (by Ivan Baetens) praised this tandem during a pleasant reception with the necessary and deserved praise. Also (almost neighbour from Ronse) Yvan Eeckhout as secretary of the organisation Belgische Verstandhouding paid tribute to these wonderful winners. Many friends and neighbour pigeon fanciers from the wide region were also present at this festive gathering.
Georges and his wife Mieke and the whole family had taken care of a very nice reception which made everything even more pleasant.
After the pigeon season, during the pigeon party season, they will have a nice tribute "with all the trimmings" in Bruges. Something to look forward to now!

Geert flew himself to the Golden Wing

Geert is a frightened but well-built 3 year old cock. It is a very lively, rather shy pigeon.  He reminds us of an Arabian thoroughbred, slender and powerful.
He flew as preparation Vierzon and Argenton and did not disappoint on Barcelona. As a 2 year old pigeon he flew Limoges.  The pigeons of Georges are allowed to mature quietly and only when they are 3 years old they have to start racing.
Geert has a 5-star pedigree.  His father is the best Pau pigeon over the years 2014-2015 with a 4th international and 30th international which are also already exceptional performances. He stems from the old strain on which Georges built his colony namely mainly the pigeons of the late Roger Florizoone (also through the Devos family from Volkegem).
His mother is an inbred granddaughter of that other Barcelona phenomenon namely the New Laureaat of Luc Wiels. Luc and Georges exchanged pigeons and this Luc Wiels hen is the mother of Geert.  Good blood does not lie !
He was played on classic widowhood.
Georges (73 years old) has been playing in tandem with his neighbour Romain Willems (79 years old) since the 90s. Georges had a busy business and Romain was a very reliable helper and tandem mate for Georges. Romain did punctually what Georges asked him to do when it was too busy for Georges and that was a great comfort for Georges.  Now Romain is still the faithful guardian.
This is again an example of pigeon sport at its best.  Trying to enjoy a beautiful hobby with a healthy ambition and then getting this award is simply wonderful !

Congratulations from the Herbot team!

Geert Dhaenens