The ever-popular Great Manchester Cycle will not take place in 2016 due to - amongst other reasons - road works on the route. Nevertheless, the organisers are hopeful that the event will return as normal next year. 

Last year more than 7,000 cyclists - young and old alike - took to the closed roads of Manchester city centre for the GMC. 

One of the major attractions in previous years has been the opportunity to ride on the Mancunian Way, usually off limits to cyclists. Other highlights include close up glimpses of the city's two major football stadiums: Manchester City's Etihad and Manchester United's Old Trafford. 

However, a large sinkhole opened up on the Mancunian Way last summer and a multi-million pound repair operation is currently taking place, making the 2016 event untenable in the opinion of the organisers. Those who had already signed up have now been informed of the cancellation. 

"Unfortunately we have taken the decision not to stage the Great Manchester Cycle in 2016. We have faced a number of logistical challenges and have been unable to secure a date. We apologise for any disappointment our decision... will cause and appreciate your understanding." 

However, it seems that the road works were not the only issue. 

David Hart, communications director at the Great Manchester Run, said: "There were some issues trying to find a date that worked well for the city - as even though it is a magnificent event it does cause disruption due to the roads being closed off." 

"There were also the logistics of the route as there are current roadworks that would have meant a change to the route. A lot of people were asking about the date and we thought it was unfair to keep people hanging on. So we have reluctantly decided we won't be going ahead with it this year, but hope to bring it back in 2017." 

A spokesman for United Utilities - the company carrying out the current works - said: "We are very sorry the company felt they needed to cancel the event. We are working as hard and as fast as we can to make sure the Mancunian Way is open as quickly as possible. We look forward to seeing the ride take place next year." 

Manchester council also expressed its disappointed. A spokesman said: "The Great Manchester Cycle is a unique event which inspires people to see the benefits of cycling as a fun, healthy and environmentally friendly way of keeping fit." 

"It's very disappointing that, due to the large number of events taking place in Manchester in 2016, the organisers have decided to not hold it this year for commercial reasons. However, I am confident that high profile cycling events will remain an important part of the city's sporting calendar." 

For more information about the event visit www.greatrun.org/great-manchester-cycle.