September 4, 2004 – The 2004 Tour of Britain is now history, and by all measures a great success. Today’s 72-Km stage was held on a 1.6-Km Criterium circuit in the heart of London around the Westminster Cathedral and in front of the Ministry of Defense. The crowd of approximately 100,000 was treated to a fast and exciting race that capped off a week of racing through the hilly countryside of this island country. With less than 30-seconds separating the top 10 contenders, and three time bonuses (plus the finish bonus) on hand, the racers completed the distance at an average speed of nearly 50kph (31mph).

The attacks began with just seven laps covered and in short order there were four riders in the clear. They were soon replaced by an attack of Great Britain’s Charles Wegelius and Ryan Cox (Barloworld) in search of precious bonus seconds. The duo stayed clear until the first bonus at 24-Km. With the next sprint not coming for another 15-Km, there was a regrouping before the next, and most serious attack, came. As the race neared the half-way point, four riders escaped and began to power themselves up the road. Multiple Olympic Gold Medallist in Athens; Bradley Wiggins (Credit-Agricole) was joined by British countryman Kieran Page, Irish National Time Trial Champion David McCann (Ireland) and Nico Mattan (Relax-Bodysol). Displaying incredible horsepower, and obviously a treat to the boisterous, London fans, the foursome put 30-seconds on the rest of the field.

Although none of the leaders posed a threat to the overall, the squad of race leader Mauricio Ardilla (Chocolade Jacques) was doing all they could to keep the escapees from riding away with the race. It wasn’t until the Quick-Step team, looking for a field sprint for their gaggle of fast-men, took over from the Chocolade Jacques squad with 10 laps remaining, did the lead begin to drop. The highly motivated breakaway held the chasers at bay until 2-to go. In the meantime, Wiggins went away on his own leaving his partners behind to fend for themselves. It wasn’t until the race was inside of 2-to go and the sprint trains began their lead-outs, that Wiggins’ drive for glory was finally terminated.

The inevitable field sprint was led from the last corner, at 300-meters, by Enrico Degano (Barloworld) who was able to lead the charge all the way to the line. In a superfast and close sprint, Navigators Insurance’s Kirk O’Bee was nipped for 2nd by Julian Dean (Credit Agricole), and followed in by Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) and Jeremy Hunt (Mr. Bookmaker.Com) in 4th and 5th. Navigators’ Ciaran Power took 6th. Dean’s 2nd place in the stage moved him from 4th to 2nd on the Overall. No other major changes occurred in the Overall GC.

Stage 5:
1. Degano, Enrico (Barloworld)
2. Dean, Julian (Credit Agricole)
3. O’Bee, Kirk (Navigators Insurance)
4. Boonen, Tom (Quick Step-Davitamon)
5. Hunt, Jeremy (Mr Bookmaker.com)
6. Power, Ciarán (Navigators Insurance)

Overall G.C:
1 Mauricio Ardila (Chocolade Jacques) 18.58.36
2 Julian Dean (Credit Agricole) 0.12
3 Nick Nuyens (Quick Step-Davitamon) 0.17
4 Eric Leblacher (Credit Agricole) 0.18
5 Fernandez Moreno (Relax – Bodysol) 0.19
6 Paolo Savoldelli (T-Mobile) 0.20
7 Michele Bartoli (Team CSC) 0.24
8 José Luis Rubiera (US Postal-Berry Floor)
9 Kevin Van Impe (Lotto-Domo) 0.27
10 Christopher Baldwin (Navigators Insurance)