The Gevaert-Lannoo combination has a solid international reputation thanks to their impressive achievements in the provincial and national longer middle distance competition. Their 2nd national prize from Bourges I in 2008 was a breakthrough performance for this internationally renowned loft.
The name of Gevaert-Lannoo has not been out of the news since. They have managed to add several first prizes to their palmares on a yearly basis, including several provincial victories. This is quite a feat, especially given the limited number of pigeons in the racing team of Paul and Carlos. Their latest five seasons can be summarized as follows:
In 2010: 26 x 1st prizes
In 2011: 21 x 1st prizes
In 2012: 18 x 1st prizes
In 2013: 20 x 1st prizes
In 2014: 11 x 1st prizes
The combination closed the 2014 season with 11 prizes - not bad for a team that consists of only 10 pairs of old cocks and hens raced in total widowhood, and a group of about 20 young birds. Still, the number of first prizes was slightly lower compared to previous seasons, and the reason is twofold. They had a very small team of young birds, which is why they competed in fewer shorter middle distance races (from Fontenay). They would usually prepare two teams of 4 to 6 pigeons for this competition, which are then basketed in two different clubs. A second reason is that their team of old birds found their best form later than usual, and so they had to be satisfied with a number of 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the early season. Their first victory of the season came in July.
They still managed to win quite a number of championship points, which resulted in Paul and Carlos winning the following championship titles and prizes in 2014:
Emperor Middle Distance Riddersclub Belgium (as General Champion in 2012-13-14) 1st General Champion Longer Middle Distance Riddersclub Belgium 1st General Champion Longer Middle Distance Bricon Award in Long Distance Club Eeklo 1st Champion Long Distance young birds Long Distance Club Eeklo 1st Ace Pigeon Long Distance young birds Long Distance Club Eeklo 2nd Artevelde championship OVV (olds, yearlings, young birds) etc…
Vandenabeele pigeons play a key role
Paul and Carlos are happy to admit that many of their achievements can be attributed to the pigeons of Gaby Vandenabeele. Some of these pigeons were obtained from the Vandenabeele loft in Dentergem, others came from the Vandenabeele based lofts of Rik Cools, BDS-team, and Patrick & Dimitri Houfflijn.
Chateauke BE05-3202164 was the first Vandenabeele based pigeon to become an important breeding hen for the Gevaert-Lannoo combination. The outstanding hen Kaafke was a direct daughter of this Chateauke, whose bloodlines can be found throughout this pigeon breed. The breeding loft is home to several direct youngsters, including Baron, Geschelpte Prinses, Einstein, Sister 100 Kaafke, Siste 05 Kaafke, Sister 42 Kaafke, Chateaufideelke, Crayonné Witpen Fideel, and others.
Sadly enough this pigeon died at a fairly young age. The Bliksem CEO BE04-3230979 seized the opportunity to become the new stock breeder of this loft. He originates from a direct Gaby Vandenabeele pigeon, being a son of iconic breeder Bliksem 062/98 x Venus 601/00. This makes him a full brother of the sire of Yvan, which was 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon middle distance KBDB 2009 for Deno-Herbots. Bliksem CEO has shown to be a highly talented pigeon as well:
He is the sire of:
-Drone BE14-4032047
1st La Souterraine 811 young birds
2nd Clermont 210 young birds
-Geschelpte Prinses BE10-4275512
1st Prov. Argenton 687 p. in 2012
8th Nat. Argenton 4.782 p. in 2012
93rd Nat. Bourges 12.607 p. in 2011
-Blauwe Blikkaaf BE11-4246087
1st Zone Chateauroux 735 p.
6th Prov Blois 1,085 p.
The grandfather of:
-Flandrien BE12-4175035: 1st Prov. Gueret 418 p.
-Major BE12-4175008: 1st Ecouen 423 p.
-Jewel BE13-4035023: 1st La Souterraine 640 p. and 4th Zone 3,748 p.
-Chopchop BE11-4246006: 1st Angerville 161 p.
-Flitser BE12-6143054: 1st Prov. Bourges 1,896 d. and 7th Nat. Bourges 33,524 p. for Jo Claeskens
-Speedy BE12-4048026: 1st Zone Poitiers 2,688 p. for Benny Steveninck
The Vandenabeele bloodline was crossed with pigeons of Willy Vanhoutte and Marc De Cock, resulting in a solid foundation for the Gevaert-Lannoo pigeon breed.
Limited space is the key to success
The breeding birds are kept in the lofts of Carlos Lannoo, while the racing birds stay in a loft above Paul Gevaert's garage. Due to a lack of space Paul and Carlos are forced to keep only their very best pigeons in the team every season.
There is room for a total of 12 pairs of old birds in total widowhood, which means they cannot decide to keep 13. Similarly they have only two lofts available for a first round of no more than 40 young birds. They do not intend on expanding, as Paul think these limitations have helped them become so successful. They do keep a second round of young birds from their best breeding pairs, which are kept in a loft with an aviary. This second round is trained up until the shorter middle distance every season, and they are basketed from Fontenay a few times, just to gain some experience.
The pigeons of Gevaert-Lannoo have to work hard; the season starts in early April and continues all the way to the final national race in the first weekend of September. Pigeons that can stand up to this, while also achieving good results, are likely to make it through the winter in Meigem. The fanciers are tough but fair - their pigeons get plenty of chances to prove their potential.
Breeding from proven pigeons and investing in top quality bloodlines
The real stars in this loft will be rewarded for their efforts later on, earning a place in the breeding loft. Paul will not hesitate to invest in top quality bloodlines to further strengthen his pigeon breed either. His latest investments include Benny Steveninck's Chipa (an excellent daughter of the amazing Chipo x Witpen Hautekiet 89) and a son of Dirk Van Dyck's Di Caprio, both obtained in 2014. The combination hopes that these investments will enable them to stay ahead of their rivals.
The 2015 racing season is about to begin, and fanciers from around the neighbourhood know that the pigeons of Gevaert-Lannoo will be a force to be reckoned with in the races of the provincial and national longer middle distance. This combination is regarded as one of the leading pigeon breeds in Flanders, with a small but potent racing team!