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SOMERVILLE – Nothing but a world war or pandemic can stop the Tour of Somerville.

For the first time since its infancy during World War II, the annual Tour of Somerville, one of the country's most prestigious bicycle races, has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Though Memorial Day is still two months away, organizers of the race have decided to cancel this year's event because of the challenges presented by the pandemic.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision and was a choice of last resort. As a volunteer-driven event for more than 75 years, the tour has entertained thousands of spectators every Memorial Day weekend since 1940, with the exception of World War II,” said Mike Malekoff, executive director of the tour.

READ: Tour of Somerville adds countywide Gran Fondo to Memorial Day weekend slate

With the status of the pandemic changing day to day, tour organizers will wait to decide whether to schedule the event later in the year or postpone it until 2021.

There is the possibility of holding a smaller version of the race for local cyclists after the pandemic passes.

New to the tour this year, to mark its 80th anniversary, was a 43-mile citizen bike ride through Somerset County. Organizers also are considering whether to hold that later in the year.

The tour, which attracts thousands of spectators, is one of the highlights of the year in the county seat.

"The Tour of Somerville is among our signature events, and postponing the weekend festivities is a major decision, but at this time, it is the correct one," Somerville Mayor Dennis Sullivan said. “There will come a time for our public events to resume, but in the meantime public health and safety remains our top priority.”

“As the title sponsor for the Tour of Somerville, we support the decision to cancel the event,” said Unity Bank President & CEO James A. Hughes. “The community looks forward to the bike race every year and the 2020 edition was going to be particularly important with the 80th anniversary of this historic competition. However, the health and safety of the community should be the only consideration as we all cope with the coronavirus crisis.”

The Tour of Somerville, the nation's oldest bicycle race, was started in 1940 when professional racer and shop owner Fred "Pop" Kugler decided to promote a bike race in his hometown.

Kugler’s son Furman, a past National Cycling champion and one of the country’s most promising cyclists, won the inaugural Tour of Somerville and repeated his victory in 1941. Carl Anderson, a friend of the Kuglers’, won in 1942.

World War II suspended the tour from 1943 to 1946 and its Memorial Day date took on a sad irony when Kugler and Anderson were both killed while serving with the armed forces overseas.

Resuming in 1947, the Senior Men’s race of the Tour of Somerville was renamed the Kugler-Anderson Memorial, in honor of the two past winners who gave their lives for their country.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.