1,000 metres Time Trial, Men

The favorite was an Australian, Martin Vinnicombe. Vinnicombe had placed third at the 1985 World Championships, second in 1986, and was the 1987 World Champion. There were 30 starters and the early lead was taken by Denmark’s Kenneth Røpke, the fourth starter who was timed in 1:05.168. This was not surpassed until the 16th starter, Soviet rider Aleksandr Kirichenko, went off. Kirichenko rode very strongly and would record the best times on both of the first two laps. But his rear tire began to deflate on the last lap. Rather than request a re-start, his coach, Boris Vasilyev, 1960 tandem bronze medalist, elected to let Kirichenko’s time of 1:04.499 stand, reasoning that he would be too tired to better that. Vinnicombe was the last starter, and when he recorded 1:04.764 to place second, Kirichenko had his gold medal and Vasilyev was vindicated.