Gay pulls back Powell

GATESHEAD – The first big 100-metre clash of the year was won by Tyson Gay by 0.02 seconds against Asafa Powell at the British Grand Prix yesterday.American Gay timed 9.94 seconds in the Diamond League meet, finishing ahead of Jamaican Powell, who clocked 9.96.“I didn’t know I’d won, I wasn’t sure,” Gay said as he walked back across the track, nursing his right hamstring. “I’m still a bit rusty.”Powell, fastest out of the blocks, said: “I eased a bit too much.”Powell was disappointed more with being passed than his time into a healthy headwind. He’d hyped a good time in the buildup in his first return to the Gateshead track where he equalled his then world record of 9.77 four years ago.Year’s bestLast month in Rome he clocked the year’s best time of 9.82, which was equalled by countryman Usain Bolt on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland.Powell and world record-holder Bolt are set to meet in Paris on Friday.Gay was pleasantly surprised to chase down Powell in the American’s first competitive 100 of the season, a week after winning the 200 at Eugene, Oregon.“I feel good,” Gay said. “He’s one of my favourite competitors and I managed to get him today. I really had to stretch at the finish line and he did not see me coming so I got the victory. The hamstring is still tight and that is something I am going to have to work on.“The wind maybe affected times slightly, but not too much.”Better startPowell, in Lane 3, got the better start and at 30 metres he had a half-metre lead on Gay in Lane 4. But at the 50 Gay had drawn level and with just five metres remaining forced his body past the big Jamaican.“I don’t feel that bad,” Powell said. “I think I forgot it was Tyson Gay out there. In the last 20-30 metres I should have run differently. But he’s a great sprinter and I gave him a chance. I didn’t see him coming, but next time I will.“I got a great start, but I need a strong finish, too. I relaxed too soon. It’s no setback though because I know what shape I’m in. I know I’ll be ready for Bolt next week.” (AP)