Team Pursuit, 4,000 metres, Men

Over the last 15 years, Australia had been a track cycling powerhouse. They were World Champions in the team pursuit in 2002-04 and held the world record of 3:57.280. They led the qualifying and in the first round overtook Ukraine, and broke their world record with a time of 3:56.610. The time was important because the team pursuit used the same new format used in the individual pursuit. Qualifying advanced eight of the 10 teams to an elimination round of four heats. The two fastest winners in the elimination round raced for the gold medal, while the two slowest winners competed for the bronze medal. Great Britain had recorded 3:59.866 in overtaking France in heat three of the elimination round and met Australia in the final. Britain led the first two laps of the final, but Australia had the lead at 1,000 metres and pulled away to win by over 3½ seconds. Spain and Germany met for the bronze medal with Spain coming from behind in the last half of the race to take third place.