1,000 metres Time Trial, Men

As was common by now, the kilometer time trial started out the track events at the 1968 Olympics. Denmark’s Niels Fredborg had been World Champion in 1967 and 1968 and was favored. Because of the fast track and the altitude, the first 17 finishers broke the previous Olympic record. Gianni Sartori (ITA) was the second man on the line and recorded a time of 1:04.65, only to be followed by Fredborg, who equaled the world record of 1:04.61 held by Sartori, but this would get him only second place. There was then a long gap as Fredborg held the lead until the 24th rider started – Pierre Trentin. The gold went to Trentin, bronze medalist in 1964, and the World Champion in 1966. His time of 1:03.91 was a world record. Trentin would also win a bronze medal in the sprint in Ciudad de México, and would team with Daniel Morelon to win the tandem sprint gold.