The individual pursuit is a track cycling event where two cyclists begin the race from a stationary position on opposite sides of the track. It is held at over 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) for men and 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) for women. The riders start at the same time and set off to complete the race distance in the fastest time. They ride on the pursuit line at the bottom of the track to find the fastest line, with each rider trying to catch the other who started on the other side. If the catch is achieved, the successful pursuer is the winner. However, they can continue the rest of the race distance to set the fastest time in a qualifying race or a record in a final.
The team pursuit is a track cycling event similar to the individual pursuit, except that two teams, each of up to four riders, compete, starting on opposite sides of the velodrome.
The women's individual pursuit at the 2008 Summer Olympics took place on August 17 at the Laoshan Velodrome.
The women's team pursuit competition at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, began on 15 February at Oval Lingotto. The team pursuit consisted of a qualifying round, then a series of elimination races, with the winners of the elimination races progressing to the next round of the 'knockout phase'.
The women's cycling team pursuit at the 2012 Olympic Games in London was held at the London Velopark on 3 and 4 August.
The women's cycling team pursuit at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro took place at the Rio Olympic Velodrome on 11 and 13 August. Great Britain has yet to be beaten in this event.
The Women's team pursuit competition at the 2017 World Championships was held on 12 and 13 April 2017.
The Women's team pursuit competition at the 2018 UCI Track Cycling World Championships was held on 28 February and 1 March 2018.
The women's team pursuit competition at the 2018 UEC European Track Championships was held on 2 and 3 August 2018.
The men's team pursuit competition at the 2018 UEC European Track Championships was held on 2 and 3 August 2018.
The Women's team pursuit competition at the 2019 UCI Track Cycling World Championships was held on 27 and 28 February 2019.
The women's team pursuit competition at the 2019 UEC European Track Championships was held on 16 and 17 October 2019.
The Women's team pursuit competition at the 2020 UCI Track Cycling World Championships was held on 26 and 27 February 2020.
The women's team pursuit event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place on 2 and 3 August 2021 at the Izu Velodrome. 32 cyclists from 8 nations competed.
The women's individual pursuit class B track cycling event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics took place on 28 August 2021 at the Izu Velodrome, Japan. This class is for the cyclist who is blind or has visual impairments, thus they ride tandem bicycles with a sighted cyclist. There will be 9 pairs from 7 different nations competing.
The women's team pursuit competition at the 2021 UEC European Track Championships was held on 5 and 6 October 2021.
The Women's team pursuit competition at the 2021 UCI Track Cycling World Championships was held on 20 and 21 October 2021.
The women's team pursuit competition at the 2022 UEC European Track Championships was held on 11 and 12 August 2022.
The men's team pursuit competition at the 2022 UEC European Track Championships was held on 11 and 12 August 2022.
The Women's team pursuit competition at the 2022 UCI Track Cycling World Championships was held on 12 and 13 October 2022.
