CALLS for the the medal winning Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club to be honoured at a special ceremony have been made by a politician.

Councillor Andy Doig has written to Provost Anne Hall, requesting that the Council celebrate the group with a civic reception for their outstanding contribution to Scottish Cycling.

This will also mark this the Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club's 90th year as a popular group.

The team have managed to gather 109 titles since they were formed back in 1952, and are continuing to make their mark to this day.

The SNP’s Elected Member for Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, and Lochwinnoch Ward, and SNP Group Secretary, Cllr Doig said: "I am very proud to have the Johnstone Wheelers based in my ward.

"Their club website testifies to the fact they have won 109 titles and national championships since 1952, in every aspect of cycle racing, be it time trials against the clock, road racing in a bunch, or track-racing in the velodrome.

"This is their 90th year and I have written to the Provost requesting that the Council recognise the Wheelers outstanding contribution to Scottish Cycling.

"This record of excellence is as up to date as it can be.

Recently the Johnstone Jets, the youth section of the Club, won a massive 15 medals at the Scottish Cycling Junior and Track Championships in Glasgow.

Doig who was a former racing cyclist himself in the 1970’s agrees that the group are a credit to the area and deserve to be recognised for their achievements.

He said: "I know the club are organising a special event in the autumn to celebrate their centenary so I think it is fitting and proper that Renfrewshire Council hosts this as the Wheelers are a credit to both Johnstone and Renfrewshire.

"Scottish cycling is in a world beating position in 2016 because the sport has progressed so much, in terms of equipment, training, and sports psychology, compared to the 1970’s when I was a time triallist with the Glasgow based Eagle Road Club.

"Youth development is the key and that is the secret as to why the Jets did so well at the recent championships, this is a lesson other sports would do well to copy.

"I still try and get out on my bike when I can, which is a Raleigh Professional, and usually manage only about twenty miles a week.

"This is nothing compared to the mileage I did 40 years ago which was about 400 miles a month, when I was 14-years-old and the Club hill-climb champion.

"I take my hat off to the Johnstone Jets as my racing these days is confined to watching the Tour de France on the TV."