The winner of each semifinal advanced to the final, encouraging tactical riding similar to a sprint race despite the long distance.

A cyclist could either finish first in one of the six semifinals or be the leader "of the greatest number of laps in the three fastest heats.

[3] Santorinaios and Texier crashed with half a lap remaining; Robertson was slowed by having to ride around them.

He left the track, cut across the grass, seized another machine, and remounted, but was disqualified.

Kingsbury started his sprint shortly after the bell, "hotly challenged" by Jones, Werbrouck, and Weintz for "one of the most exciting finishes of the Games, which Kingsbury just won by three inches.