Busan 2002 silver medallist Lam won the first ride of three lap races in a time of 11.362secs. But 21 year-old Kitatsuru bounced back to win the second ride in 11.131, then qualified for the final by winning the deciding third leg in a time of 11.154secs to reach this afternoon's final, Wednesday 13 December.

He will meet 19 year-old Lae Seon Choi of Korea in the gold decider, victor over China's Tang Qi in identical fashion.

Tang took the first ride in 11.196, but Choi won the second in 11.417 to set up a deciding ride. He took that in a relatively slow 11.900 to go into the gold clash with Kitatsuru.

In the women's semifinals, 500m time trial gold medallist Guo Shuang of China
will have a chance of making it double gold after winning her sprint semi in straight rides against You Jin A of Korea. Guo pedalled 11.875 to win the first leg then rode 12.275 to clinch the second to book her place in the final.

She meets compatriot Gong Jinjie, who beat Hsiao Mei Yu of Chinese Taipei also in two straight sprints.

15th Asian Games, Doha 2006