Renfrewshire Council conducted a feasibility study into the prospect of hosting a criterium in the area after a request to do so was agreed last summer.
A criterium – also referred to as a ‘crit’ – is a type of bike race popular across the United Kingdom which entails a number of laps around a closed circuit.
The local authority’s events team joined forces with Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club and Scottish Cycling to consider the benefits and financial requirements of hosting one, likely in August 2027.
A report on the exercise was discussed at the leadership board on Wednesday – at which elected members expressed their backing for the concept.
Councillor Audrey Doig, an SNP representative for Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, said at the meeting: “The events team have obviously put a lot of work into this and I look forward to seeing the outcome of that very soon.”
A motion calling for the study was submitted by Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, and Councillor John Hood, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie at a full council meeting in June. It was unanimously agreed.
Councillor Iain McMillan, Labour group leader, said at this week’s meeting: “We want to see this going ahead.
“I think Johnstone town centre is a natural area for cycling events and I think it would be well-supported, not just from people from Johnstone of course but people from all over.
“Having been at cycling events myself, it’s amazing the crowds that you get and how people are so enthusiastic about it.”
It has been estimated approximately 3,000 spectators would attend across the day, based on between 100 and 200 race participants.
The report said taking a partnership approach would provide opportunities for a “family-orientated event” that could have a social and economic impact for Johnstone’s communities.
A total of £100,000 would be needed to support its delivery in 2027 and allow analysis to take place, with a view to returning to the board with recommendations on the possibility of holding future cycling events.
It’s expected the majority of the costs would need to be met by the council.
Councillor McMillan, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, said the figure sounds like “an awful lot of money”.
But he added: “Do I want to commit that amount of money? I wish it was a lot less money of course but, if it means this event going ahead, I would be more than happy to accept it.
“I think in the meantime we have to look at ways that we can reduce that, if we can attract sponsorship then who knows, even media money, television money, something like that. It could be a really large event.”
SNP council leader Iain Nicolson, who represents Erskine and Inchinnan, responded: “I appreciate the fact that you’re demonstrating support for it, as we are, so I can comfortably predict it will appear at another board at some point that has the power to make that decision on that spend … It will need to go to another board to make a decision on the financial aspect of it.”