Balen, located in the Antwerp Kempen and known for one of our best cyclists of his generation in the classics with the nicknames "The Bomb from Balen" or "Tornado Tom." Winner of, among others, 4 times Paris-Roubaix, 3 times Ronde Van Vlaanderen, and so much more: Tom Boonen.
History
This is where Erik and Martine settled and where they participate in the races from Momignies up to the Fond. This tandem is well-known in the region of the East Border for their strong performances in the races. From championships, asduiven to winning 1st prizes against the approximately 190 members who are still numerous in the East Border, including the top of Belgium, where every weekend a tough battle must be fought to belong.
Erik always played in Limburg with very good results, but was forcefully compelled to stop in 2020 due to the end of the relationship and the necessity to sell the pigeons. This also happened via Pitts and became a grand success.
When Erik then met Martine, they started again in Balen in 2021. Martine was not unfamiliar with the pigeon sport; her grandfather also played with the pigeons, particularly in the sprint races. Martine is therefore Erik’s support and mainstay in the season; behind every strong man, there is also a strong woman.
In 2021, they started with young pigeons at the current address, and from the very first race, they immediately struck gold. They won the 1st prize with the young ones at Auxerre (semi-fond race) and concerning the championships, they were already there that season in sprint races from Momingies and Soissons. This line continued that year with the young pigeons in the semi-fond races, which also resulted in obtaining several championships in this discipline.
In 2022, the young ones scored again, and even a 1st National Zone b4 Argenton young was won.
This crack is also for sale (buy 9).
2023 was another top year with very good performances, resulting in numerous championships.
2024 was also top with 2 old pigeons and 4 yearlings with which they went to the fond in the Molse Fondclub, where the top players gather. There, they achieved 1st place in the championship with the old ones, with a 1st asduif fond and an 11th asduif fond by playing the entire program with 2 old pigeons, which clearly indicates quality. With the yearlings, they also won the 3rd asduif fond and the 3rd asduif grote fond. This resulted in 2nd place in the overall championship with a difference of just 1 point from the 1st place. The young pigeons also performed well again, with a mention among the champions in the national races. These young pigeons that have performed well can also be found in this sale. The championship that Erik enjoys the most is the 3rd place in the Super Championship 2024 at the Molse Fondclub, combined with all national championships tallied, and this with a mini colony.
Lineage
The pigeons and the breeds that perform well here come from his founding father "De Meeuw." This descends from the F16 lines (Bart & Nance Van Oeckel x Baertsoon x Dirk Verstichelen from the Paula 5000 line of Remi de Mey). The names of Theo Yskout, Dirk Van Dyck, Ad Schaerlaekens & Vervoort from Gelrode also frequently appear in the pedigrees. Erik's 3 best friends must certainly not be forgotten. Roland Coenen (heavy fond player), René Pipeleers, and certainly Ludwig Van Win, who has returned Erik's original breed to him, allowing him to rebuild a piece of his old lineage.
Importance in the pigeon sport
The most important factor is performing with pigeons and only then the pedigree. After that, with these performance pigeons and their offspring, trying to strengthen the lineage. A good example is Spooky, who became the 1st asduif fond in Mol, defeating top players such as Team Hooymans and Lemmens Ulrich, among many good players. This hen has certainly earned her place on the breeding loft after winning 6th national Limoges against 6886 old pigeons. She is also a granddaughter from the founding father "De Meeuw" x old breed Eric Maes from his 1st S-nat. Molicour pigeon. Here lies the best of the best in the bloodlines. Good comes from good.
System
The playing method with the pigeons is quite simple. Like most, the young ones are darkened, and the flyers are only paired for about 5 days and then played. Here, the basket is the strict teacher and the selection method. The young pigeons are trained rapidly, and after 10 days they are in Momingies (143 km); this is their first experience with the big basket. The flyers do 3 x 30 km and then also go to Momingies. During the week, there is no training with the flyers, only with the young pigeons until they are in the races in France. Erik’s vision on this is that a good pigeon comes home even with little effort. It always starts with good pigeons, and that's primarily what it's about to achieve good results.
Nutrition
Erik uses 4 types of feed: Aidi, Versele-Laga, Matador & Anthoons. Only the best, as they need to work here, so they also receive top food. As for supplements, Aidi, Jaap Koehoorn, Wonder Pigeon, and Schroeder are given.
Medical aspect
Here they rely on the products from De Weerd. These have been given for 30 years, and the pigeons are also examined here. Visits to the veterinarian are limited to a few times a year or when Erik deems it necessary.
The sale
The reason for the sale is due to the complete switch to national flights and the fond. In this sale, performance pigeons are offered and also some proven breeders. The stock at Erik is very scarce; here one must fight hard to secure a spot on the breeding loft or the flying loft. This is because Erik only retains a few pigeons in winter. Also in the season, the stock is kept small with 14 hens and 8 doffers to complete the entire program of the national flights. The 16 breeding pairs provide for 3 rounds of young, resulting in approximately 90 young pigeons. From birth, a selection takes place, and this selection continues throughout the year.
Erik also expressed the following wish: I hope that there will be more tolerance in 2025. He wishes everyone the light in their eyes, and hopefully this is also the case vice versa... A beautiful thought to conclude this report
Championships 2024
Molse Fondclub
- 1st Champion Grote Fond Old
- 2nd Overall Champion Grote Fond
- 3rd Champion Grote Fond + Marathon
- 5th Champion Kleine Fond Jrl.
- 5th Champion Kleine Fond Young
- 6th Overall Champion Kleine Fond
- 13th Champion Kleine Fond Old
Asduiven 2024
Molse Fondclub
- 1st Asduif Grote Fond Old
- 11th Asduif Grote Fond Old
- 3rd Asduif Grote Fond Jrl.
- 21st Asduif Grote Fond Jrl.
- 22nd Asduif Grote Fond Jrl.
- 23rd Asduif Grote Fond Jrl.
- 4th Asduif Kleine Fond Young
- 6th Asduif Kleine Fond Young
- 10th Asduif Kleine Fond Young
- 15th Asduif Kleine Fond Young
Results 2024
Fond National
- 20/7/24 Brive Pr. 381 Jl Dv. 14-24. 2/2
- 20/7/24 Brive Pr. 247 Old Dv. 18-40. 2/2
- 20/7/24 Brive Nat Zone B 2.750 Jl Dv. 10-20. 2/2
- 20/7/27 Brive Nat Zone B2. 826 Old Dv. 35-89. 2/2
- 20/7/24 Brive Molsefondclub Local. Old Dv 1-2. 2/2 And Local Jl 1-3. 2/2
- 5/7/24 Limoges National 6889 Old Dv. 6-1307. 2/2
- 5/7/24 Limoges Pe 688 Old Dv. 4-72. 2/2
- 5/7/27 Limoges Molsefondclub Old Dv Local 1-6. 2/2
- 28/7/24 Bergerac Pe 355 Jl Dv. 24th. 1/2
- 28/7/24 Bergerac Nat Zone B2 638 Jl Dv. 60th. 1/2
- 28/7/24 Molsefondclub Jl Dv. 5th. 1/2
- 4/6/24 Limoges Pe 1014 Old Dv. 24th. 1/1
- 4/6/24 Limoges Nat Zone B2 1863 Old Dv. 24th. 1/1
- 4/6/24 Molsefondclub Old Dv Local. 5th. 1/1.
Heavy Semi-Fond National
- 25/5/24 Bourges Molsefondclub 314 Jl Dv. 22-34. 2/4
- 15/6/24 Pottiers Molsefondclub 102 Jl Dv. 5-8-28. 3/6.
- 30/6/24 Argenton Molsefondclub 292 Jl Dv. 11-17-44-45-63-77. 6/12.
- 14/7/24 Argenton Molsefondclub 183 Jl Dv. 10-11-32-40-43-44. 6/14.
- 20/7/24 La Souterainne Molsefondclub 58 Old Dv. 5-20. 2/2.
- 10/8/24 Bourges Molsefondclub 308 Young Dv. 8-31-35-39-40-44-48-52-53-62-65-76-79-89-103. 15/36.
- 18/8/24 Vierzon Molsefondclub 167 Young Dv. 3-5-7-15-20-34-36-41-43-53. 10/25
- 14/9/24 Chateauroux Molsefondclub 136 Young Dv. 16-30-32-37-41-44-46. 7/10
Small Semi-Fond
- 15/6/24 Fay-Au-Loge Hafo East 453 Jl Dv. 12-18-34-50-62-92-98-124-152. 9/14.
- 20/7/24 Sermaisses Hafo East 267 Young Dv. 4-5-12-16-20-47-57-63-71-73-88. 11/36.
Sprint The East Border.
- 25/5/24 Soisson 602 Jl Dv. 19-40-42-43-61-96-183. 7/10.
- 25/5/24 Momingies 472 Jl Dv. 9-22-68. 3/4.
- 10/7/24 Momingies 474 Young Dv. 10-12-15-16-25-44-76-83-86-89-91-105-117-129-133-136-138-140-143-145-147. 22/37