BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Following are the factbox on women's cycling individual pursuit at the August 8-24 Beijing Olympic Games:

    Introduction:

    This is a race against the clock over a distance of 3 kilometers. A qualifying round of head to head heats will select the eight best riders on the basis of their time.

    The four winners of the first round will contest the finals. The riders with the two best times will ride for the first and second place, while the two other riders ride for third and fourth places.

    The riders will start on opposite sides in the middle of the two straights of the track. Catching up with the other rider or recording the fastest time will determine the winner.

    Record:

    World record: three minutes and 24.537 seconds, Sarah Ulmer, Newsland, Athens, Aug. 22, 2004

    Olympic record: 3:24.537, Sarah Ulmer, Newsland, Athens, Aug. 22, 2004

    2004 Champions

    Sarah Ulmer, Newsland, 3:24.537