Bike Race to Remain on Sunday for 2012

One thing is certain about the Philadelphia International Championship—the bike race through Manayunk and Roxborough will remain on Sunday in 2012.

After resident rumors circulated that plans to move the race to Saturday had stalled, the  confirmed Thursday the race is set for June 3—a Sunday.

"We've talked to the them, and we're all on the same page that the bike race is staying on Sunday this year, and we'll continue conversations about Saturday for next year," Executive Director Jane Lipton said.

In January, event organizer Pro Cycling Tour approached the neighborhood bike race committee—comprised of civic groups, the Manayunk and , police and city agencies—about to ease the cost of police presence and seek more avenues of revenue for the race.

and the Manayunk Development Corporation opposed the move—civics because of the increased party risk, the MDC due to the potential loss of retail shopping on a Saturday.

Lipton said after the initial proposal, the Pro Cycle Tour was sympathetic toward Main Street's dilemma.

"They want to work with us. They didn't realize the loss of revenue for Manayunk, and they're saying they need to think about that aspect more," she said.

Conversations will continue throughout the year to reach an agreement on 2013 and beyond. Lipton maintains the MDC's position that the race should remain on Sundays, but is willing work on it.

"We don't exist in a vacuum, so we'll have conversations. We think Sunday can be successful for them, and we want to help them hold off on costs and get additional revenue."