Former world champion Tyson Gay ran 10.04 seconds in pouring rain to win the 100m men’s singles event at the IAAF Athletics Montreuil meeting on Monday.
Gay crossed the finish line 0.12 clear of 2008 Olympic runner-up Richard Thompson with the aid of a 0.5m headwind.
“I definitely want to get to 9.8, 9.7 [seconds] shape,” Gay said. “It may take a couple more races to get down there.”
The US sprinter launched his comeback last week after completing a one-year doping ban, finishing second in 9.93 seconds behind Justin Gatlin at the Athletissima meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“I felt better today than I did in Lausanne,” Gay said. “My start was better in Lausanne, but here I felt better in the race.”
The 2007 world champion tested positive last year for an anabolic steroid. He cooperated with the US Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation to have his doping suspension reduced to one year.
“It was tough last year, but I didn’t take off the training,” Gay said, “I continued to train and work through ups and downs of last year. I managed to make it through.”
Gay is the second-fastest sprinter in the 100m discipline, behind Jamaica superstar Usain Bolt. The American said his doping suspension was a learning experience.
“I’m learning to be more responsible,” Gay said. “As an athlete, you have to be responsible for your supplements.”
He said he plans to race at least until the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
“That’s motivation for me,” Gay said. “That’s my goal. I’m looking forward to that.”
Trinidadian Michelle-Lee Ahye, the best performer in the women’s 100m this year, overcame a poor start to beat Jamaican Carrie Russell in 11.32 seconds, while Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross, also of Jamaica, pulled away in the final straight to win the 400m in 51.12.
“I think the last time I ran in weather like this is probably Zurich 2005,” Richards-Ross said.
“I tried to block it out, but it’s really hard to get going really fast, especially the first 50 [meters]. A little bit more cautious. I do want to have a successful season, so I don’t want to risk an injury,” she added.
Jamaica’s Hansle Parchment, who set a year-leading 12.94 seconds in the 110m hurdles last week in Paris, edged Cuban Orlando Ortega in 13.33 seconds.
Among the surprises of the meet, worlds runner-up Tony McQuay finished third in the 400m, more than a second behind Yousef Masrahi, who won in 44.55 seconds.
In addition, Frenchwoman Cindy Billaud clocked 12.79 seconds to stun worlds bronze medalist Tiffany Porter of Britain in the women’s 100m hurdles event.
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