The Italian men's Pursuit team won gold in a thrilling final against Denmark at the Olympics, and their race strategy and riding formation was built around setting up Filippo Ganna for an explosive run in the last kilometer in hopes of snatching victory from the Danes. He revealed that the race strategy and riding formation was built around setting up Filippo Ganna for an explosive ride in the last kilometer in hopes of taking the win from Denmark.

The athletes executed this strategy to perfection, winning in a new world record time of 3:42.032. Denmark took the silver medal in 3:42.198.

Ganna led the last three laps for Italy, turning a 0.8 second gap into a 0.166 second winning advantage.

Italy has a long tradition of Olympic success in cycling and in track events, but last won the Olympic men's team pursuit title in Rome in 1960.

"I wanted to do something special. I knew that a silver medal was like a parachute, but I wanted something more," Ganna explained at the post-race press conference at the velodrome. [I knew I could make up time in the last kilometer, but you can't measure hundredths of a second in a race.

"The other riders put me in an ideal position. But I can assure you that Francesco Ramon, Jonathan Milano, and Simone Consonni's work is harder than mine."

Ramon is the only one of the quartet who has never raced at the World Tour level, but he plays an important role in bringing the team up to speed on the opening lap.

The 20-year-old Milano, like Ganna, is considered the engine of the future and will share the early kilometers. Consonni, better known as Elia Viviani's lead-out man, will use his speed and bike skills to hold the final three riders together as Ganna accelerates up front.

In the final, the Italian got off to a fast start and competed with Denmark in the first 2 km.

"We knew we had to start strong, follow our strategy, and chase them down in the last kilometer," Ganna explained.

"This is a special moment for the whole team.

"We have won World Cups in the past, but now we have a gold medal around our necks. I have to thank the team staff for taking care of us and motivating us day after day."

"We are very proud of our team.

Consonni recalled that Viviani and fifth-place finisher Liam Bertazzo were also part of the Italian Team Pursuit team, but were not awarded medals because they did not compete in any round. Viviani will try to defend his Omnium Olympic title on Thursday and then compete in Madison with Conssoni.

"It is a great honor for us to be part of this group," Consonni said, still emotional after winning the gold medal.

"We have all strived to reach great heights and do our best. Elia Viviani and Liam Bertazzo are also part of Team Pursuit and have played a part in this success. It has been a team effort."

"I am very happy with this gold medal. The gold medal is a special gift from my son.

"This is my fifth year working for this, so it's a big, big present for the whole group. We have a beautiful team, like a family, so it's an honor for me and for us to be a part of this group."