+04 0725 928 653
+04 0725 928 653
The International Barcelona race remains the ultimate test of European long-distance pigeon racing, and the 2026 edition once again lived up to its legendary status. A total of 16,278 racing pigeons from six countries were entered, with liberation taking place on 3 July at 07:45 CEST under favourable weather conditions, featuring clear skies and a northerly wind.
Historic Victory for Nicu Bărbulescu
The first arrivals were recorded on the following morning, and the International Winner was Romanian fancier Nicu Bărbulescu, who is based in Zwevezele, Belgium.
The winning pigeon is the hen BE-2023-30066267, now proudly known as "Barcelona Queen." She covered the 1,057.5 km race distance at an average velocity of 1,082.44 metres per minute. Timed at 06:09 CEST, she delivered a truly historic performance to claim the most coveted title in international marathon racing.
Strong Interest Continues in 2026
The International Barcelona race is widely regarded as the ultimate challenge for marathon pigeons, where endurance, orientation and racing condition are tested on one of Europe's most demanding race routes. The fact that more than 16,000 pigeons were entered this year once again demonstrates the exceptional prestige and enduring appeal of this historic event.
Belgium recorded the largest entry with 5,945 pigeons, followed by the Netherlands (5,075), France (3,415), Germany (1,373), Great Britain (1,352) and Luxembourg (19). Compared to the previous edition, the total number of entries increased, further confirming the race's growing popularity and its importance within the international racing calendar.
Alongside the International Winner, each participating nation also crowned its own National Winner. Gery Odiot topped the French classification, Ad Fortuin claimed victory in the Netherlands, Wilpers Family Team won in Germany, while Mark Gilbert secured the National victory in Great Britain. These outstanding performances underline the exceptionally high level of competition witnessed in this year's edition.
The International Barcelona race continues to write new chapters in the history of pigeon racing. For fanciers, achieving a top position in this legendary event represents one of the sport's greatest accomplishments, while for the pigeons themselves, it is the ultimate proof of their genetic quality and racing excellence.
Pentru scopuri precum afișarea de conținut personalizat, folosim module cookie sau tehnologii similare. Apăsând Accept, ești de acord să permiți colectarea de informații prin cookie-uri sau tehnologii similare. Află in sectiunea Politica de Cookies mai multe despre cookie-uri.