The Olympic competitions in track cycling open with the team sprint and the qualifying round for the individual pursuit for both men and women. How 'bout a little preview thingy? No guarantees that we will have preview every day. But today? We have preview.

Also, see Clydesdale's lovely schedule of events, if you'd like to play along at home.

Team Sprint.

What exactly is the team sprint? Simple. Two teams start on the track at opposite ends. Each team has three riders. They ride three laps total, with each rider leading the threesome for one of the laps. Typically, the first rider is a sprinter, who can get up to speed quickly, the second and third kilo or pursuiter types, who have more endurance. The team's time is set when the third rider crosses the line. So, pretty much we're talking about a very short team time trial here. Without brakes. Oh, and there is no team sprint for women.

Favorites? The French are far and away the favorites in this event, as they have won the World Championship three years running. Their team will consist of Grégory Baugé, Kévin Sireau, Arnaud Tournant, though they have also brought a fourth rider Mickaël Bourgain, in the event they want to make a substitution between the Qualifying and Final heat. The British led by Chris Hoy won the silver medal in this event at Worlds. The Germans won in Athens, and Stefan Nimke returns from their Athens line-up. He is joined by Olaf Pollack and Roger Kluge. Look for the Netherlands and Australia to place well, here, also. Michael Blatchford, Adam Duvendeck, and Giddeon Massie will ride for the United States.

Individual Pursuit.

What is it? Two riders take to the track at opposite ends. They chase one another around it. Um, hence the name? They race against one another and the clock. The fastest times advance to the next round. Tonight only a qualifying round will be run. The men ride 4000 meters, the women, 3000 meters. Aerodynamics, deep lungs, and strong legs win the pursuit. The world record for men is held by Chris Boardman of Great Britain, 4:11.114, set in 1996. Sara Ulmer of New Zealand holds the womens' record, 3:24.537, set in Athens in 2004.

Mens' Favorites Here is your start list for the mens' race.

Bradley Wiggins of the United Kingdom is the current World Champion in this event, and should be the favorite to win. He will be challenged by Australian talent, Bradley McGee, though it's unclear what effect McGee's injury troubles may have had on his preparation. Brett Lancaster, more typically seen on the road playing lead-out, will also ride for Australia. Lancaster was a member of the gold medal winning Aussie team pursuit in Athens. Taylor Phinney of the United States continues his meteoric rise through the ranks of international cycling. His lack of experience may hurt him, but he's a thorough bred talent. One to watch, for sure.

Womens' Favorites. Here is your start list for the womens' pursuit. Don't forget: The women ride 3000 meters.

Rebecca Romero of Great Britain is the current world champion in this event. She narrowly beat American pursuit talent Sara Hammer, of the United States, who has quite simply one of the best names in cycling. These two are the favorites. Katie Mactier, riding for Australia, may have something to say about that, however. She is a past World Champion in this event, and finished second to Ulmer in Athens. Karin Thurig of Switzerland showed her form in the womens' crono already. She will also ride the pursuit, and was fifth in Athens. Her best international result in the pursuit was third at Worlds in 2005.