How does the individual pursuit work?

• The event: "The riders start on opposite sides of the track. The winner is determined by either catching the other rider or recording the fastest time."
• Two phases: qualifying rounds to find the best four on time, then the finals.
• The finals: the two fastest ride for first and second. The next two ride for third and fourth.
• Qualifying pairs: made up of riders of similar ability, without pairing the two expected to be best.
• Caught in qualifying: the caught rider must finish the distance to get a time. Neither rider may use the other's slipstream, and the caught rider may not pass back.
• Caught in a final: the race is over.
• What caught means: the catching rider's chainset draws level with the other's.
• The start: each rider is held in a starting block on the inside edge of the track.
• Lights and bell: a light, a lap counter and a bell at each rider's own finish line.
• A tie on time: to the thousandth of a second, the better final lap wins.
• Not starting a final: the opponent wins. The absent rider is placed second or fourth, or disqualified if the reason is not accepted.

The glossary has the pursuit, the dead heat in timed events entry, the false start and restart entry and the velodrome.

Starting on opposite sides makes a time trial into a visible contest, since spectators can see who is gaining half a lap at a time. Using times alone in qualifying, and riding head to head only among the best four, keeps the draw from deciding the medals.