An evolution from a number of previous professional road races based in Britain, the Tour of Britain took place for the first time over five days in early September 2004. Given much Sponsorship by the organisors of London's Olympic Games bid for 2012, it was organised very well, and attracted a number of well-known teams such as T-Mobile Team (Germany) and U.S. Postal Service cycling team (USA). This was widely due to it being a 2.3 category race on the Union Cycliste Internationale calender, and next years its inclusion in the Pro Cycling Tour means it will do the same again.
The 2004 route climaxed with a 45 mile criterium in London, where tens of thousands of spectators saw a long break by Londoner Bradley Wiggins last until the penultimate lap, with Enrico Degano of Team Barloworld taking the sprint on the line. The Colombian Mauricio Ardila, of Chocolade Jacques, won the Tour overall.
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