Top Auction – Adri van der Bijl – The Netherlands

Adri van der Bijl Jr., from Woerden, the Netherlands, is one of Europe’s most highly regarded pigeon fanciers specializing in long-distance and marathon racing. Raised in a family with a strong tradition in pigeon racing, he became involved in the sport at an early age and has competed under his own name since 1986. Over the years, he has developed a loft based on strict selection, with a strong emphasis on endurance, vitality, and the ability to perform in races covering more than 900–1,000 km.

His approach is characterized by simplicity and discipline. He maintains a relatively small team of breeding and racing pigeons, firmly believing that genetic quality and careful selection are more important than the number of birds kept. His family of pigeons is built around his own established bloodlines, strengthened through crosses with pigeons from renowned Dutch fanciers such as Theo Streefkerk, Tim Hage, and Ros.

His international breakthrough came in 2013, when the cock “Lex” won 1st National Narbonne against 4,508 pigeons, one of Europe’s most prestigious marathon races. This outstanding victory confirmed the quality of the Van der Bijl loft and attracted the attention of pigeon fanciers worldwide.

Adri van der Bijl Jr. is also well known for the great attention he pays to the health of his pigeons. He works closely with veterinarian Hans van der Sluijs and only uses treatments when they are truly necessary. His philosophy is that success is built on exceptional genetics, excellent health, consistent preparation, and uncompromising selection.

Thanks to these principles, the name Adri van der Bijl Jr. has become associated with top-level performance in international long-distance and marathon racing. Pigeons originating from his loft are highly valued and are used by numerous fanciers throughout Europe and other parts of the world to strengthen and improve their own bloodlines.