2026 Olympic Speed Skating Men's Team Pursuit Prediction & Preview
Updated July 9, 2026
The men’s team pursuit in speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina will be full of excitement on the ice, blending raw power, seamless coordination, and pacing precision across three athletes working in unison. There are a couple of clear frontrunners to win the gold in this event. Here, I break things down further and bring you my speed skating men's team pursuit predictions.
One of the most talked‑about narratives coming into the 2026 Games is the dominance of the United States men’s team in the team pursuit during the current World Cup season and last year’s World Championships. The American squad of Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran has shown remarkable consistency, topping every men’s team pursuit on the World Cup circuit this season and capturing the World Championship title with a time of 3:39.24. The Americans’ trip through the 2025‑26 World Cup was nearly flawless, with their cohesion and ability to maintain blistering pace throughout the distance suggesting they are peaking at precisely the right moment for Olympic competition.
Italy finished second at the 2025 World Championships and also took silver in a World Cup event. They will benefit from home support and familiarity with the venue, making them a legitimate contender given the crowd energy and course knowledge advantage. Traditional powerhouses like the Netherlands have faced a tougher run of results this season, though they possess the historical pedigree to threaten for a medal if they can find the form that made them excellent in previous Olympic cycles.
Norway enters with longer odds despite being Olympic champions from prior Games, due to inconsistent results on the World Cup tour this year. However, past Olympic success often gives teams invaluable confidence, and Norway’s tactical nous should not be underestimated as they aim to reclaim gold.
The team pursuit is not just about raw speed. The event demands technical synchronization, drafting efficiency, and split‑second decisions when trading the lead. One misstep in rotation or a poorly timed push can cost precious tenths of a second, magnifying its effect over 8 laps of intense racing. As such, teamwork and experience under pressure will be critical factors when medals are decided.
Pick: United States ATS PRO
Confidence: 4 out of 5
The United States enters the men’s team pursuit at these Olympic Games with more momentum and recent success than any other team in the field. Their complete dominance in the World Cup season and victory at the last World Championships cannot be overlooked and suggest a program firing on all cylinders at the perfect time.
While Italy’s home-ice advantage and the Dutch team’s historical pedigree make them intriguing challengers, the margin between gold and silver in team pursuit often hinges on seamless coordination and confidence under pressure, elements the U.S. has refined through consistent high‑level performances throughout the season. I'll take the favorites to head back to the USA with gold around their necks.
