World 100m recordholder Tim Montgomery flopped on his return to the track after over a month's absence finishing well down the field behind compatriot Justin Gatlin here on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old two-time world championship medallist looked to be in need of several races ahead of the world championships in Paris in three weeks as he just made the final and then was never in it as Gatlin streaked away to win in 10.15sec.
Montgomery, who finished sixth in 10.37sec, had taken time off after finishing second behind European champion Dwain Chambers in Glasgow at the end of June to be with his new born child, Tim Junior, and girlfriend Marion Jones.
His task looked to have been made easier when in-form Nigerian Deji Aliu was disqualified for false starting.
"I cannot blame Aliu's protests against being disqualified for my performance," said Montgomery. "However, I am not going to panic ahead of the world championships but I going to sit down with my coach [Dan Pfaff] and see what should be done."
The women's 100m gave French star Christine Arron high hopes of taking gold in Paris as she roared home to win in 11.11sec with defending world champion, Zhanna Block, back in fourth in 11.45 -- sprint great Merlene Ottey, now competing for Slovenia, was fifth.
Arron's victory was even better considering she had thought of pulling up.
"I had cramps at the beginning of the race and thought about pulling up but I decided to carry on and instead I accelerated progressively," said the 29-year-old 1998 European champion.
Allen Johnson franked his form as favorite for a fourth world championship crown in the 110m hurdles as he streaked home ahead of compatriot Duane Ross, who had led him out of the blocks.
However, 32-year-old Johnson stormed back and quickly ran down Ross, who at least managed to finish the race compared to his crashing out of the American championships.
Women's No. 1 Brigitte Foster also looked impressive as the Jamaican surged to victory in the 100m hurdles improving on her runners-up performance from last year at the same meeting.
While the 28-year-old had Olympic bronze medallist Melissa Morrison back in third she will still have the ominous presence of three-time world champion Gail Devers to cope with once they hit Paris for the world championships.
Kenyan 3000m steeplechasing prodigy Stephen Cherono ran another remarkable race to better his world best time of the year as he finished in 8min 4:75sec.
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