1,000 metres Time Trial, Men

The early leader was Belgium’s 18-year-old national champion Michel Vaarten. When defending champion Niels Fredborg (DEN) came in slower, his chances for a medal seemed good. But the last two World Champions, Klaus-Jürgen Grünke (GDR-1975) and Eduard Rapp (URS-1974), were late starters and Vaarten had a long wait. Rapp was first to start among the favorites. When he started he thought he had taken off before the gun and sat up, thinking he would be given a re-start. But the officials ruled his start to be legal, and he was disqualified. Grünke started somewhat slowly, his early splits trailing those of Vaarten, but he was much stronger over the last half of the race, and won the gold medal by almost 1.6 seconds. Vaarten held on for the silver medal, with Fredborg completing his medal set in this event, adding bronze to his 1972 gold and 1968 silver. As a pro, Vaarten later placed second in the points race at the 1986 World Championships.