PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Mayor Michael Nutter vows to work for the return of professional cycling to Philadelphia next year despite this year’s cancellation of a race held in the city for almost three decades.

The Pro Cycling Tour has announced that the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship will not be held in 2013. (see related story). The organization said officials expected the event to return next year after a reorganization “with new partners.”

Nutter said Tuesday that officials were disappointed by this year’s cancellation but would work with promoters to ensure that “a major pro cycling event” is held in the city 2014.

The annual summertime event, held in the city since 1985, featured a 156-mile championship held over a 14.5-mile course from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through the nearby community of Manayunk.

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