Aywaille, a village between Sprimont and Spa, better known among cycling tourists as the village of Philippe Gilbert and home to one of the country's most famous inclines, La Redoute. It is in this rolling landscape that the home of Maxime Lambert is located. This 26-year-old from Liège began his pigeon career in 2012, infected with the virus by his uncle.
Until 2020, the focus was mainly on speed and small middle distance races, but starting in 2021, the horizon was broadened to encompass large middle distance to heavy long-distance races. The names of the breeds that Maxime brought into the loft sound like a bell. For the large middle distance races, we encounter names like André Roodhooft, Gaby Vandenabeele, Gerard Koopman (via Gobert Michele), Julien Nibus, Marcel Wouters & Marcel Grégoire. The latest acquisitions for these races come from the tandem Hensen-Mentoir (1st National champion speed young KBDB 2022).
Recently, investments were made in pigeons for the heavier races from
- Batenburg-Van de Merwe (lines New Laureaat, Kleine Jade, Loyd, Willeke, New Wittenbuik, Jana, ...)
- Saarloos Bert (Son of "Nico", 1st Dutch ace pigeon Barcelona 2021-2023 & 5th International ace pigeon Barcelona 2021-2023)
- Baerts Guy
- Speltdoorn Remy
- Meunier Vincent (line of "Marseille", 6th national Marseille 2020)
- Ameloot Gerard (1 son of the 3rd International ace pigeon Marseille over 5 years)
- Bovy François & Mireille
- Caro Vve
- De Keyser Dethier
- Schroeder Vincent
- Derycke Alexandre & Grevesse Marie-Hélène
This bomb of quality in the breeding loft immediately shows their capability, especially with other enthusiasts since Maxime is busy and faced setbacks in 2023 when a marten wreaked havoc in the aviary...
Still, he managed to win the 1st zonal in Tulle with BE21-1025016 "Le Tulle" in 2022. This beautiful doffer has also already flown a 26th/1399 Nevers and a 7th/629 Chalons.
With other enthusiasts, Maxime’s pigeons have already won:
1st prov. & 4th zonal Argenton
1st prov. Melun
5th prov. Pont
6th prov. Melun
11th/2024 Bourges
1st Melun
3rd Orleans
4th Nevers
53rd/5114 Nevers
Etc ...
Also in the OLRs, Maxime's pigeons are making their mark, such as 10th final Derby Istanbul FCI 502 km and best Belgian pigeon and 26th final Derby Costa Del Sol.
Some results:
- Saint Dizier - 208km
2°,34,36,.../402p Local
6°,124,126,.../1100p Groupement Centre Luxembourg
40°, .../2378p Groupement Luxembourgeois
- Chalons en Champagne – 193km
4°,24,.../159p local
4°, .../294p Groupement Centre
7°,46,50,.../629p Groupement Luxembourgeois
- Troyes – 268km
15°,.../338p Local
58°,.../1236p Groupement Centre Luxembourg
- Auxerre – 333km
21°,26,.../309p Local
51°,68°, .../1173p Groupement Centre Luxembourg
83°,116,.../2507p Groupement Luxembourgeois
- Nevers - 428km
6°,20°/210 Local
15°,64°/607p Groupement Centre Luxembourg
26°,122/1399p Groupement Luxembourgeois
- Saint Dizier – 208km
2°,5°, .../476p Local
8°,23,166,.../1706p Groupement Centre Luxembourg
24°,52°,.../3140p Groupement Luxembourgeois
- Troyes – 268km
6,9,20,.../452p Local
16,24,42,175,.../1797p Groupement Centre Luxembourg
16,24,45,183,.../3109p Groupement Luxembourgeois
- Chalons sur Saône – 411km
7,30,.../355 p Local
22,113,.../1588p Groupement Centre Luxembourg
32,157,.../2360p Groupement Luxembourgeois
- Chalons sur Saône – 411km
4°/80p Local
31°/376p Groupement Centre Luxembourg
42°/564p Groupement Luxembourgeois
- Vierzon – 445km
4,10,12/99p Local
5,18,20/286p Groupement Centre Luxembourg
18,49,51/498p Groupement Luxembourgeois
- MACON - 464KM
14,35,37,41,42,65/196P (6/6)
- BOURGES - 445KM
20,41,.../182P Local (5/8)
- NEVERS - 428KM
12/302P Local (1/3)
- Troyes - 268km
1°,16,18/58P Local (3/4)
1° GROUPMENT LUXEMBOURGEOIS (3/4)
- ARCIS SUR AUBE - 242KM
3,11,12,19/88 P Local (4/4)
- SAINT DIZIER - 208KM
5,7,8/92P Local (3/4)
- CHALONS EN CHAMPAGNE - 193KM
5,6/94P Local (2/3)
True Belgian folklore, the lofts in Aywaille!