Algarve Great Derby Summer 2026. 6th training

Hello everyone!

Ringo here with another update from the AGD Summer 2026 youngsters.

Oh boy… what a training!

Training 6 took place today, and it was by far our most challenging one so far.

The morning started very busy for the trainers and drivers. With fog and low clouds forecast in central and western Portugal, we decided to drive around 25 km further east than planned to find better visibility. And it turned out to be a very wise decision: around 95% of the pigeons arrived from the direction of the release point, suggesting the route home was clear.

But then there was the heat.

Temperatures were rising incredibly fast. At 9:00 it was already 29°C at the loft, and the pigeons were showing clear signs that the limits were approaching. Open beaks and wings held away from the body showed that they were working hard to dissipate the heat.

Welcome to Algarve racing!

This is exactly what makes racing here so challenging. The youngsters need to learn how to deal with heat, and it will only become more demanding as the distances and flight times increase.

A few pigeons are still missing. In these conditions, some may have landed temporarily to find water and escape the heat, something that can happen during particularly hot flights. Hopefully they will continue later when temperatures drop or resume their journey tomorrow morning. The team is monitoring the situation closely.

We also received a few injured pigeons again. One possible concern is the increasing number of electricity cables along the usual flight routes, with more solar farms being installed every year. These new obstacles may create additional risks for pigeons navigating the area.

Today was tough, but that’s exactly why we train. The youngsters learned a lot.

A weather change is expected in the coming days, so we’ll keep a close eye on the forecast. For now, Training 7 is planned for next Wednesday, weather permitting.

Another difficult lesson learned. Another step forward.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the sky!

Ringo