Australian Alex Porter has crashed in qualifying for the men's team pursuit at the Tokyo Olympics after the handlebar inexplicably snapped off his bike.
The Australians were just over a kilometre into their 4000m ride when Porter, riding at the rear of their four-rider formation, had his shock equipment failure.
He suffered a torn skinsuit and was furious as he walked back to the Australian team pits at Izu Velodrome.
The Australians were given a re-start after the women's sprint.
It continued a tough start on Monday to the track cycling program for Australia, who were second-last in the women's team pursuit qualifying as Germany made a stunning statement.
The Germans broke the world record in team pursuit qualifying and also qualified fastest in the women's team sprint.
Germany clocked four minutes 7.307 seconds in the team pursuit to beat the 4:10.236 that Great Britain clocked to win the gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
The British were on track to better the Germans' mark at 3000m, but faded to finish second-fastest in 4:09.022.
The Australian combination of Georgia Baker, Annette Edmondson, Ashlee Ankudinoff and Alexandra Manly rode 4:13:571 and are out of contention for the gold and silver medals.
They will face sixth-fastest team New Zealand in the first round and could progress to the bronze medal ride-off on Tuesday, but the Australians will need a big lift in performance.
Australia has never won an Olympic medal in the women's team pursuit.
Stephanie Morton's retirement means Australia did not enter the women's team sprint, which will be the only event to be decided on Monday.
Germany will meet China in the women's team sprint gold medal ride-off.
