Athletics: Gay blasts to new 200m straight record

Tyson Gay's speedy dash along Manchester city centre's Deansgate earned him the 200m world best on a straight track yesterday.

The display at the Powerade City Games also suggested the American can fulfil his prediction that now he is fully fit after a groin operation he can end Usain Bolt's domination of global sprinting.

Where and when the pair will first go head-to-head this year is still undecided but the American, after roaring to a record time of 19.41 seconds in Manchester, is clearly in great early season form.

The time surprised even Gay, who earlier admitted he was nervous after being tipped to better the previous mark of 19.5sec which the legendary Tommie Smith achieved 44 years ago.

"Going into the race I knew it was going to be tough to beat the record," said Gay. "It was pretty hard for the first 100m or so and I was extremely tired. It was truly amazing and it was tough record to break."

Jessica Ennis won the women's 150m, clocking in at 16.99secs. Fellow British runner Christine Ohuruogu came third. British hurdler Andy Turner won an impressive double in the 110m and 200m, setting the world's fastest time this year of 22.30sec in the latter.

Mark Lewis-Francis and Laura Turner won the men's and women's 100m respectively, while triple world 200m champion Allyson Felix took the 200m in 22.55sec.