Team Pursuit (4,000 metres), Men

East and West Germany had been two of the top teams in this event since the mid-1970s. As a combined German team, they brought almost unbeatable firepower to the team pursuit. But Australia led the qualifying with a world record time of 4:11.245, over 3½ seconds faster than the Germans. Germany lowered that in the third quarter-final, overtaking New Zealand in 4:10.980, but Australia answered that in the final quarter-final, recording 4:10.438 as they overtook Czechoslovakia. Germany scared the mark in the first semi-final, defeating Denmark with a time of 4:10.446. Australia won the second semi to set up a dream final. In that match both teams bettered the record. But Germany broke out to an early lead and Australia could never make up the deficit, Germany winning the gold medal, 4:08.791 to 4:10.218. There was no bronze medal race. Denmark was awarded the bronze based on being the fastest losing semi-finalist.