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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.
Both men's and women's events are competed over a distance of 4 km, by a team of 4 riders. Prior to the start of the 2012–13 season the women's event was competed over a distance of 3 km, by a team of 3 riders. [1] [2]
As with the individual pursuit, the objective is to cover the distance in the fastest time or to catch and overtake the other team in a final. Riders in a team follow each other closely in line, drafting to minimize total drag, and periodically the lead rider (who works the hardest) peels off the front, swings up the track banking and rejoins the team at the rear. The position of the third rider is pivotal because final times are measured as the third team member's front wheel crosses the finishing line. Since the winning team is decided by the third rider, it is common for one rider to take a "death pull", pedaling very hard before the finish to tow the teammates, which means that this rider cannot maintain the group-pace afterwards. This allows their teammates to briefly recover behind them before they make a final three-person acceleration towards the finish line.
The first round of the competition at major events is the qualifying round. This still involves two teams on the track at the same time: they are not directly competing against each other but attempting to set the fastest time to progress in the competition. In the Olympic Games since 2012, the top teams progress into knock-out rounds, with the top two surviving into the Gold and Silver medal race and the top two teams from all remaining compete in the Bronze Medal race. Prior to 2012, the two losers of the knock-out rounds would race for the Bronze Medal; this change was instituted to encourage performance from all qualifying teams since all would have a chance to race for a medal depending on their performance. In the World Championships or World Cup Classic events the top two teams from the qualifying round progress directly to the Gold and Silver medal race while the third and fourth qualifiers fight it out for Bronze.
| Olympic Games | men's | women's |
|---|---|---|
| World Championships | men's | women's |
| World Cup | men's | women's |
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 sprint or match sprint is a track cycling event involving between two and four riders, though it is usually run as a one-on-one match race between opponents who, unlike in the individual pursuit, start next to each other. Men's sprint has been an Olympic event at every games except 1904 and 1912. Women's sprints have been contested at every Olympics since 1988.
Great Britain, the team of the British Olympic Association (BOA), competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 29 August 2004 with the team of selected athletes was officially known as Team GB. The British sent a wide-ranging delegation to the Games, continuing its ubiquitous presence in the Olympic games, the only country to have sent competitors to every summer and winter games since the birth of the modern Olympics in 1896. Great Britain's 264 athletes, 161 men and 103 women, competed in 22 disciplines throughout the two-week event. The team entered the opening ceremony behind the Union Flag carried by judoka Kate Howey. Double gold medal winner Kelly Holmes carried the flag at the closing ceremony.
The men's individual pursuit event in cycling at the 2004 Summer Olympics consisted of matches between two cyclists. The riders would start at opposite ends of the track. Each had 16 laps in which to catch the other cyclist. If neither was caught before one had gone 16 laps, the times for the distance were used to determine the victor. In the thirteen matches of the 2004 event, no cyclist was lapped.
The men's team pursuit event in cycling at the 2004 Summer Olympics consisted of matches between two teams of four cyclists. The teams started at opposite ends of the track. They had 16 laps in which to catch the other cyclist. If neither was caught before one had gone 16 laps, the times for the distance were used to determine the victor. The Australia-Great Britain rivalry continued in an event which saw a new world record.
The team sprint is a track cycling event. Despite its name, it is not a conventional cycling sprint event - it is, in the men's event, a three-man team time trial held over three laps of a velodrome, and, in the women's event, a two-woman event held over two laps.
These are the results of the men's individual pursuit at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, held from 20 to 22 July 1976. There were a total number of 27 participants in the Olympic Vélodrome.
These are the official results of the Men's 4.000m Team Pursuit at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, held on 23 and 24 July 1976. There were 64 participant from 16 nations. In the first round each team raced alone, with the first eight teams qualifying for the quarterfinals.
The men's team pursuit at the 2008 Summer Olympics took place between August 17 and 18, at the Laoshan Velodrome.
The women's individual pursuit at the 2008 Summer Olympics took place on August 17 at the Laoshan Velodrome.
The men's team pursuit event in cycling at the 2000 Summer Olympics was held on Sunday, 17 September, and Monday, 18 September 2000 at the Dunc Gray Velodrome. The competition consisted of matches between two teams of four cyclists. The teams started at opposite ends of the track. They had 16 laps in which to catch the other cyclist. If neither was caught before one had gone 16 laps, the times for the distance were used to determine the victor.
The Men's team pursuit at the European Track Championships was first competed in 2010 in Poland. It has formed a part of each championship since. Great Britain, the double Olympic champions, have dominated the event, winning on four of the five occasions.
The men's cycling team pursuit at the 2012 Olympic Games in London took place at the London Velopark on 2 and 3 August.
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 men's team pursuit event in cycling at the 1996 Summer Olympics competition consisted of matches between two teams of four cyclists. The teams started at opposite ends of the track. They had 16 laps in which to catch the other cyclist. If neither was caught before one had gone 16 laps, the times for the distance were used to determine the victor.
These are the official results of the men's individual pursuit at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico, held on 17 and 18 October 1968. There were 28 participants from 28 nations.
These are the official results of the men's team pursuit at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico, held on 19 to 21 October 1968. There were 85 participants from 20 nations.
These are the official results of the Men's individual pursuit at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, held on 31 August and 1 September 1972. There were 28 participants from 28 nations.
These are the official results of the men's team pursuit at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, held from 2 to 4 September 1972. There were 90 participants from 22 nations.
The men's team pursuit event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place from 2 to 4 August 2021 at the Izu Velodrome. 32 cyclists from 8 nations competed.
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