[2] The event was won by Aleksandr Kirichenko of the Soviet Union, the nation's first victory in the men's track time trial.

Martin Vinnicombe's silver was Australia's first medal in the event since 1972, while Robert Lechner put West Germany on the podium for the second consecutive Games with his bronze.

The favorite was Australian Martin Vinnicombe, who had won the 1987 world championship after third and second place finishes in 1985 and 1986.

Other contestants included Maic Malchow of East Germany, who had set the world record in 1986.

[2] Liechtenstein and Spain each made their debut in the men's track time trial.