Jimmy R. wrote a GREAT article on Mike Pigg in the most recent issue of Triathlete Magazine. You might have missed it as it appears after the young ladies in the swim suits.
I was helping Mike Plant announce the race at Hilton Head in 89 when Pigg beat Allen. It was one of the most memerable finishes I have ever witnessed.
We could see about 1/2 mile down to road as Pigg pushed his body to the finish line looking back every other stride to see if Allen was gaining.
Even though he was not considered one the the “Big Four” (Molina, Tinley, Allen, Scott) Pigg was champion when it came down to wanting to win!
About one month after that race, I produced the National Sprint Championships in Aventura, Florida. Lance beat Mike in that race - using the same tactic that Pigg used against Allen at Hilton Head. Bike as fast as you can and hang on during the run.
To bad Pigg was not in St. Croix on Sunday - He would have raced as Faris Al Sutan did last year in St. Croix - Win the race on the bike by getting so far ahead, that the runners run out of pavement. Z
I knew Mike pretty well when we were racing so I think I can say with confidence that he knew he was fully respected by the people that mattered to him. Gaining respect from the media wa the least of his goals in the sport.
As far as his bike being a steep-angled frame - he rode at the very tip of a saddle thta was pushed way forward on the rails so he effectively rode a very steep angle. He was so damn fast. He’s the guy who reall started people thinking that changing the bikes geometry so that we could ride way forward like that might be a good thing. To hang out there on the tip of the saddle 20 hours/week was pretty rough!
Scott - You raced Mike more times at the Olympic distance then any of the other “big four” so your comments on his racing is right on! Mike was never one to “play to the media” He trained and raced hard and fair! Do not know how many times, Mike took second to you during your streak of USTS wins in the late 80’s, but I’m sure you remember many times that he was pushing you toward the finish line. Z
Pigg’s best finish at Kona was in 1988 when he place second to Scott Molina - He was only just a few min. behind Scott. Do not know if he lead on the bike and Scott outran him. I bet Scott remembers and might let us know how the race panned out. Skid??? What’s the story!