Glaetzer backs Russian in cycling

Australian track cyclist Matt Glaetzer has given strong support to Denis Dmitriev after losing to the Russian at the Rio Olympics.

Dmitriev beat Glaetzer two heats to nil in the ride-off for the sprint bronze medal.

While the Russians are competing in Rio under a doping cloud, Glaetzer is willing to give Dmitriev the benefit of the doubt.

"It's obviously a tricky one," Glaetzer said.

"I don't know a lot of information about it, but I've heard he trains outside of Russia a lot, trains and lives outside.

"So he's a bit distant from that regime, their process of their national system.

"The governing body of cycling internationally has made that call and banned quite a few athletes as you would have seen, so they were obviously confident that he was all good."

It is the third time Glaetzer has finished fourth at the Olympics, including the team sprint at London and Rio.

"I'm not liking the No.4 to be honest," Glaetzer said.

"I've got good legs, it's just I feel that they've got better ones."

Glaetzer will now reset for the keirin, to be run on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) during the last day of the track program.