"Match Sprint

The sprint is a game of cat-and-mouse as the cyclists ride three laps around the track with the last 200-metre lap being a timed one. After an initial seeding round, the competitors are paired in a series of knockout races where losers are left behind and winners advance. Finally just the two fastest riders are left to compete against each other in a best two out of three match to determine the fastest sprinter. Always a spectator favourite with speeds often bettering 70 kilometres per hour, the match sprint requires raw speed, lightening fast reflexes, and superb tactics. Our own Lori-Ann Muenzer won Canada's first-ever Olympic gold medal in track cycling in Athens in 2004."

From here.