Cycling Team Pursuit Wrap from Tokyo Olympics

They came to Tokyo hunting gold but Australia's men's team pursuiters say they will go home content with bronze after a stunning recovery from a day one crash to finish on the podium.

Kelland O'Brien, Sam Welsford, Leigh Howard and Lucas Plapp - who came in for Alex Porter who was injured in the crash in qualifying on Monday - upstaged New Zealand in their bronze medal ride-off on Wednesday night.

In a thrilling showdown, the Kiwis led by just 0.048 of a second at the 2km half-way mark before one of their riders Aaron Gate crashed after touching wheels with his teammate.

Australia marched on and the race was called off when they lapped the New Zealanders a short time later.

"We've raced these boys (New Zealand) quite a lot and we always know it's going to be a dog fight and we were prepared for that," O'Brien said.

"It was bouncing back and forth, us boys were here for the fight and I'm bloody proud we fought for the last three days to be here through some pretty tough moments.

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