A Hackney woman ruled her four-legged friend was the real winner after they were crowned Concours d’Elegance champions at a cycling festival in London.

Leanne Tritton, 50, and her West Highland terrier Iggy sealed the public vote at Rapha Nocturne London on Saturday– a day-to-night festival of cycling that welcomes both elite and amateur cyclists to the streets of the capital.

The Concours d’Elegance invited participants to don their most stylish outfits as they cycle round Guildhall, Cheapside and St Paul’s, where they were judged on their elegance, best bike and most considerate cycling style.

Tritton, who runs her own PR company, rode the route with two-year-old Iggy in a basket on the back, and couldn’t have been happier to take her place in the spotlight.

“I entered the Concours d’Elegance last year and it was so much fun. This year, I decided I would bring Iggy the wonder dog along,” she said.

“She cycles with me all the time in her basket, and I thought it would be something fresh to show people that not all cyclists are aggressive – we’re actually quite passive!

“She is the most gentle of them all, so we took part and won the public vote, so that is fantastic.

“I don’t feel that I have won though, I think it’s Iggy that has won. She’s the one who wins all the hearts.

“When I was cycling around the course, I got the same reaction I always get with Iggy, in that when people see her, she melts their hearts.

“I think the Rapha Nocturne is incredible, it’s amazing that the streets of the City of London have been closed for this event. It allows people to really enjoy seeing all the different types of cycling, it’s wonderful.”

Established in 2007, the Rapha Nocturne London offers a diverse programme of cycling, which culminates in elite criteriums at the end of the night, featuring Olympic medallists and World champions.

Thousands of people lined the streets of the City of London to watch the action unfold on Saturday, enjoying live music, food stalls and exhibitons, as well as the cycling.

And Tritton wasn’t the only Hackney resident standing on the podium, with 29-year-old Joe Brown finishing second in the folding bike race.

“It feels great to finish second. This was my best placing so far, I was third a couple of years back – I’ve not enjoyed good form since then,” said Brown, who works for Brompton Bicycles in Greenford.

“I have too many Bromptons. I played around with other categories of cycling, including track, but I didn’t really get into it.

“The best thing about the Nocturne is that you can turn up, ride the same course as the elite riders, it’s really exciting, it’s inclusive, everyone talks, everyone has a laugh and where else can you race in the heart of the city? It’s brilliant – I’m absolutely coming back next year.”

The Rapha Nocturne London is part of a World Criterium Series with the next leg in Copenhagen, on August 19. For more information go to www.raphanocturne.com