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Friday Fun: If You Could Turn Pro For a Day...

Here's a good one, courtesy of Runitout in the MPSB thread:

If you could be a pro racer for one day, which day (hence, race) would it be and why?

That's one day... though it shouldn't limit you to one day races, or even races currently scheduled. (e.g., the next time the Tour hits Alpe d'Huez or the Giro prologue in DC or something). Even for me, this is not an easy one, however much restraint it requires not to blurt out "de Ronde!" Honestly, I am torn between a cobbled classic and the last day of the Tour de France. A great race is one thing to experience, but I can't imagine the incredible sense of accomplishment, relief and giddiness that comes with arriving in Paris after the hardest three weeks any cyclist will likely know. Then there are the crowds, as well as the stage battle... a lot to ponder here.

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I’m gonna go with Runitout just cuz he/she said it so nice, and say Strade Bianche. Usually I’d say LBL, but there’s something nice about a “smaller” race like this, I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about but that’s my answer.

I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it

by plinytheelder on Mar 5, 2010 7:27 PM EST reply actions  

MSR

If I’m going pro for a day, it’s going to be for a long time. And without any pesky mountains or cobbles.

"Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs."

by jsallee00 on Mar 5, 2010 7:43 PM EST reply actions  

Agree

MSR. “Easy to finish, hard to win”. Just what I need.

by Longdaddy on Mar 5, 2010 8:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Yep

That was my first gut response. (But there’s also something enormously satisfying about the thought of slogging it through Paris-Roubaix.)

by Sui Juris on Mar 5, 2010 8:12 PM EST up reply actions  

de ronde

chris, always go with your first instincts.

"well...you live in england so: you love the rain. loves the queen. hates cycling. based on mr bean had a tremendous amount of humour. all ride in a mini cooper. all getting drunk before the age of 12. getting drunk at least 3 times a day."- frinking, 7/9/09

by benrazor on Mar 5, 2010 7:50 PM EST reply actions  

+1 on Milan-San Remo

I rode the MSR last summer (actually, the MSRM…Milan-SanRemo-Monaco) and it has everything. It’s got fast flats, gentle climbs, steep climbs, tricky downhills and the best part is the scenery. Riding down that coast line is amazing. To do it in a peleton would be sublime.

I felt like I could ride 500km’s that day…so I think I would be in the right mindset if I were a pro for one day. Although I’d be so taken at the finish.

Maybe I should pick a race I could win as a pro…..

by LawrenceS on Mar 5, 2010 7:59 PM EST reply actions  

Lombardia

In an instant. No doubt about it.

I love everything I’ve seen about the region, it’s some of my favorite terrain to ride in, it fits who I am as a rider.

by dansel on Mar 5, 2010 9:01 PM EST reply actions  

Amstel gold

Why isnt anyone mentioning
an Ardennes classic? Wind hills and a pub at the base of the finishing climb. I am sure being sponsored by a beer companyay have it’s rewards for the winner

by jaymo on Mar 5, 2010 9:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Paris Roubaix

In my opinion, there is no better feeling then being absolutely crushed after a ride, and I don’t see any race that would crush my soul more than PR.

by PopUp Rolen on Mar 5, 2010 9:32 PM EST reply actions  

very well put

Though you’d have to drive to Kortrijk to get good beer.

"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen

by Chris... on Mar 6, 2010 12:01 AM EST up reply actions  

Argh!

Bière de garde, mon ami.

I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it

by plinytheelder on Mar 6, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions  

The World Championships...

…with about a 4 hour head start so I can enjoy the rainbow stripes all year long afterword…

(okay, I would need about 6 hours and a tailwind…but a boy can dream)

by JustJoshinYa on Mar 5, 2010 10:18 PM EST reply actions  

Either

the Omloop because you could probably taste the energy and buzz in the start area on the way to opening the Belgian season plus it is more or my style
or
If it was non-Euro, it would be Philly. No matter what happens to that race, it will always be Philly.

by Vlaanderen90 on Mar 5, 2010 10:33 PM EST reply actions  

Coors classicc

cause I live here and would smoke them fools that aren’t used to the altitude…bring it the Lance. Oh it’s not going on anymore? Well then I’d say the Giro Lombardia, that’s some beautiful scenery.

March 14, 2010: The great one returns!

by Phil H. on Mar 5, 2010 10:36 PM EST reply actions  

WC

And as an added perk it would be in Lombardy with a finish atop the Ghisallo. The awards ceremony (of course, I take the Gold) would be next to the Coppi/Bartali busts.

Why? It’s my fave single day race (especially when it’s a hilly course).

Twitter username: FitTechEric

by The Team Chef on Mar 5, 2010 11:06 PM EST reply actions  

Giro

Three weeks in Italy on a bike. The weather is fantastic in Italy in May. Nice and easy pace until the end of each stage. Of course, the transfers are a b*tch, but I’m dreaming, right?

by dheadrick on Mar 5, 2010 11:17 PM EST reply actions  

Flanders

Just to make it to the Kapelmuur in front of the fans and with the bells going off….

by Yossarian12 on Mar 6, 2010 12:14 AM EST reply actions  

Bastille day – on a mountian stage, wearing polka dots

Moo

by Willj on Mar 6, 2010 1:57 AM EST via mobile reply actions  

Amstel Race Curaçao

Because I’d get a vacation of a week with all the cool riders to boot.

Gerrie Kneteman: If a football player falls he shouts for his mother, if a cyclist falls he yells for his bike.

by Lopex on Mar 6, 2010 2:30 AM EST reply actions  

And get to swim with dolphins.

It's fun to beat Cancellara--Edvald Boasson Hagen

by majope on Mar 6, 2010 4:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Tour de France rest day

It’s a day, in a race.

Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.

by TheFigurehead on Mar 6, 2010 5:11 AM EST reply actions  

I always think rest days sound pretty horrific.

Lots of interviews & sponsor-schmoozing, not to mention the forced jollity of the rest day ride with the press & assorted other randomers tagging along, not to mention the trips out to secret locations for nefarious purposes of (I hope…) days of yore…

by civetta on Mar 6, 2010 8:09 AM EST up reply actions  

Can't you do the it the Zoetemelk way

of just not getting up at all. Well apart from trips to the bathroom, of course.

by Monty. on Mar 6, 2010 11:53 AM EST up reply actions  

Let's assume that I could keep up/compete...

Rather large assumption, that.

Apparently Eroica is very popular with the riders. It’s a bundle of fun to ride. From a purely riding point of view, I reckon it would be hard to beat.

The Queen Stage of the Tour or the Giro (say the Alpe stage with all the crazy Dutchmen) or one of the monuments would be terrific because of the crowds. And just to say that you’d done it. ‘I finished Paris-Roubaix.’ Imagine being able to say that.

by Drongo on Mar 6, 2010 8:02 AM EST reply actions  

unpaved col du tourmalet.

one of the joys of getting older is saying, “Well, in my day we didn’t have [xyz].” soooo…the last day in which the TdF passed over the unpaved col du tourmalet. that is a true bragging right.

a close second would be riding a kermesse in the rain, not closed to traffic and with joe parkin.

Rodania,,,,,,,Rodania,,,,,,,Rodania,,,,,,,Rodania

by bikepig on Mar 6, 2010 1:53 PM EST reply actions  

It's really tempting...

to say worlds, or one of the monster alpine stages of the Tour or Giro… but I have to say, the Sausalito-to-Santa Cruz stage of the ToC. Those are my home roads, and some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere. And with very few straight level miles, super exciting to ride. Plus, I just love this race even if it’s only a lowly Cat. 5 in VDS.

Cycling will always be a beautiful sport no matter how many people disgrace it.--Christian Vande Velde

by tgartner on Mar 6, 2010 2:57 PM EST reply actions  

Okay, pretending I could actually ride...

My first thought was Lombardia, but the weather is likely to be too good—I can’t go so far as to pretend I like exertion in the heat (or really, anything much over 60 F). I need cold, preferably rainy weather, so it’s got to be Belgium in the springtime. Let’s say de Ronde.

It's fun to beat Cancellara--Edvald Boasson Hagen

by majope on Mar 6, 2010 4:48 PM EST reply actions  

I'll go for Emilia

if only for the reason that you get to spend the evening recuperating in Bologna.

by Monty. on Mar 7, 2010 9:34 AM EST reply actions  

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