[2][3] The event was won by Arie van Vliet of the Netherlands, the nation's first victory in the men's track time trial after two consecutive silver medals in 1924 and 1928.

Pierre Georget's silver put France on the podium for the third time.

Arie van Vliet of the Netherlands was the favorite; he had come in second in the sprint at the 1934 and 1935 World Championships and (the day before this competition) the 1936 Games.

The sprint winner, Toni Merkens, was not competing in the time trial, however.

[2] Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and Sweden each made their debut in the men's track time trial.