PARIS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The team pursuit is one of the most spectacular and demanding events in track cycling, testing both stamina and speed as two teams of four riders go head-to-head on the track over a distance of four kilometers.

Starting opposite each other on the track, the aim is simple: to complete the distance faster than the other team, or to overhaul them.

The riders ride in close formation, to minimize drag and switching riders on the front to maintain the entire team as fresh as possible, something that is important as the time is taken when the wheel of the third rider crosses the line.

Team pursuit is one of the oldest cycling events at the Games, seeing its first outing in London 1908, with Britain claiming the first gold medal.

The British have traditionally been the team to beat in recent years, claiming gold in London, 2012 and Rio 2016, but the men's team only finished seventh in Tokyo while Italy, Denmark and Australia can also be expected to challenge for medals in Paris.

The Italians won the men's team pursuit in Tokyo and were runners-up in the 2023 World Championships and Jonathan Milan advises they are looking to complete a Tokyo-Paris golden double.

"We're not here to watch, but to give our best. We already are super motivated to defend what we achieved in Tokyo, but we have to take it day by day, and then we will see where we go. But we are quite confident," he advised.

Denmark are reigning World champions and took a silver in the Tokyo Olympics, while the Australians have also been a model of consistency claiming silver in London and Rio and bronze in Tokyo.

"We've got a strong team," said Australian cyclist Kelland O'Brien, explaining there has been new blood in the team since Tokyo.

"Half of the team is guys from last time, and half is younger guys who have come through (...) These younger riders have really stood up to the challenge. I'm really proud to be a part of a young group that's hungry and ready to get after it," he said. Enditem

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