After his total sale in 2019, Jean-Marc decided to put his focus on the long distance. This decision was taken because he wanted to focus on a new challenge and also because his professional life is not easy to be combined with the practice of the pigeon sport. Several investments were achieved as well as a partnership with Gino Clicque. Only two years later, Jean-Marc showed to the world he was one of the best Belgian fancier of his generation while winning the title of 1. National Champion Long Distance Old Birds KBDB with a team of 2 years old only and this during his first year with his focus on the long distance races.
Since then, many fanciers were wondering how will look his season in 2023 and so far, he has not disappointed. Of course, seeing the flying conditions in the first part of the season, Jean-Marc had to be patient before finding the opening but his time came during the first week of July.
27/05 Bourges I (409 km) National - 18.729 yearlings:
80-124-469-916-... (15/26)
03/06 Limoges I (608 km) Zone B2 - 1.763 old birds:
15-28-38-66-72-106-170-179-... (10/34)
02/07 Limoges II (608 km) National - 7.211 old birds:
4-24-58-99-209-376-593-... (13/23)
02/07 Limoges II (608 km) Wallonie Zone II - 651 old birds:
1-2-3-5-9-18-36-47-66-... (15/23)
02/07 Limoges II (608km) National - 8.970 yearlings:
6-10-337-587-... (8/13)
02/07 Limoges II (608 km) Wallonie Zone II - 697 yearlings:
1-2-12-21-59-... (9/13)
07/07 Barcelona (1.013 km) National - 7.832 old birds:
80-142-534-... (5/5)
16/07 Aurillac (644 km) National - 5.342 old birds:
20-57-... (11/21)
16/07 Aurillac (644 km) Wallonie Zone 2 - 709 old birds:
1-3-69-78-... (13/21)
It was especially the race of Limoges II which was a great success with no less than 2x top 10 national and 6x top 100. The first pigeon clocked is currently the best pigeon of the loft.
- 'Grandson Golden Prince 680' (BE20-3015680)
In addition than his provincial victory and his 4th national on Limoges II, this super crack already played a leading role last year with the national title:
12. As National All-Round RFCB 2022
2. Bourges prov 1.895 p.
37. National 33.410 p.
2. Lorris 1.314 p.
2. Châteauroux prov 953 p.
79. National 10.317 p.
6. Tulle Nat. Zone 1.018 p. '22
33. National 4.185 p.
6. Soissons 1.421 p.
7. Brive prov 645 p.
280. National 6.117 p.
9. Argenton prov 1.429 p.
14. Tulle prov 573 p. '21
200. National 7.267 p.
...
That same pigeon was also the first arrived on Limoges I, good for the 15. nat zone against 1.763 old birds.
Only a few minutes after the first arrival, two yearlings were also clocked on top of the national level. Both have been bred by Gino Clicque.
- 'Granddaughter Golden King 409' (BE22-3046409)
1. Limoges II prov 697 p.
3. Nat. Zone 2.030 p.
6. National 8.970 p.
23. Bourges prov 687 p.
...
We need to mention that her nestmate won last year the 11. Châteauroux national against 17.081 pigeons.
- 'Grandson Golden King 376' (BE22-3046376)
2. Limoges II prov 697 p. (after loftmate)
6. Nat. Zone 2.030 p.
10. National 8.970 p.
5. Nanteuil loc 394 p.
18. Orléans loc 478 p.
46. Argenton loc 633 p.
...
The second old bird clocked on Limoges II comes this time from Pascal Arien (as an egg) and he also played a leading role last year for the title of national champion.
- '225/20' (BE20-1005225)
2. Brive prov 645 p.
122. National 6.117 p.
8. Châteauroux Iprov 377 p. '20
11. Argenton Iprov 907 p. '20
12. Souillac prov 449 p.
220. National 4.476 p.
14. Châteauroux Iprov 643 p. '21
60. Nat. Zone 1.519 p.
44. Bourges prov 1.172 p. '21
171. Nat. Zone 3.251 p.
47. Argenton Iprov 1.429 p. '21
51. Limoges prov 1.609 p.
92. Bourges prov 3.049 p. '22
...
This year he won:
2. Limoges II prov 651 p.
14. Nat Zone 1.593 p.
24. National 7.211 p.
6. Libourne prov 286 p.
220. National 3.880 p.
38. Limoges I Nat Zone 1.763 p.
...
Let's get back on the Clicque pigeons with the third old bird clocked.
- 'Grandson Golden Prince 675' (BE20-3015675)
3. Limoges II prov 651 p.
34. Nat Zone 1.593 p.
58. National 7.211 p.
4. Brive prov 845 p. '22
6. Nat Zone 1.248 p.
136. National 6.117 p.
13. Tulle prov 412 p. '22
47. Nat Zone 1.018 p.
216. National 4.185 p.
13. Souillac prov 380 p. '21
218. National 4.571 p.
33. Argenton prov 907 p. '20
44. Argenton prov 1.429 p. '21
...
The fourth and last old bird ranked into the national top 100 on Limoges II is another pigeon coming from Pascal Arien (again as an egg):
- '215/20' (BE20-1005215)
2. Châteauroux II prov 522 p. '20
46. Nat Zone 3.333 p.
5. Limoges II prov 651 p. '23
99. National 7.211 p.
22. Tulle prov 573 p. '21
31. Châteauroux I prov 1.052 p. '21
36. Souillac prov 380 p. '21
64. Limoges I prov 1.609 p. '22
92. Bourges I prov 1.172 p. '21
...
Two weeks later, the race of Aurillac was scheduled and the Thibaut-Boons combination ranked two old birds into the national top 100, once again with two pigeons bred by Gino Clicque. In addition, the first pigeon clocked won the interprovincial victory (Wallonie II)
- 'Grandson Million Pair 366' (BE21-3024366)
1. Aurillac prov 709 p. '23
20. National 5.342 p.
1. Argenton I AWC 619 p. '22
4. Nat Zone 1.888 p.
140. National 18.763 p.
7. Argenton II Nat Zone 928 p.
261. National 12.938 p.
9. Limoges II prov 651 p.
77. Nat Zone 1.593 p.
209. National 7.211 p.
12. Châteauroux I prov 348 p. '22
23. Bourges I prov 1.428 p. '22
...
The second arrived is a hen who already proved her worth last year with a provincial victory on Brive.
- 'Granddaughter Golden Rudy' (BE21-3024340)
1. Brive prov 412 p. '22
5. Nat Zone 1.167 p.
24. National 5.885 p.
3. Aurillac prov 709 p. '23
57. National 5.342 p.
9. Issoudun prov 762 p. '22
96. Nat Zone 1.322 p.
30. Tulle prov 423 p. '22
92. Nat Zone 1.214 p.
...
This successful combination seems to be on the right track to progress on the national scene. Jean-Marc is a top quality fancier and with such individualities in the racing loft, we have probably not yet finished to hear about this fantastic colony.