Gatlin believes he has no need to fear Bolt and Gay

JUSTIN Gatlin believes he has nothing to fear in lining up against the likes of Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay, having cruised to a second successive victory upon his comeback to athletics.

COMEBACK TRAIL: Justin Gatlin has taken his second step on the long road to London 2012 (Reuters)

Gatlin, 28, returned to the sport - after a four-year drugs ban hiatus - with a 100m win last Wednesday in a low-key meet in Estonia and on Sunday he repeated the trick, coming home in 10.17, 0.07 faster than his comeback time.

The American's fall from grace was meteoric, having clinched the Olympic title in 2004 as well as the world title over 100m and 200m in 2005.

But a year later he tested positive for excessive testosterone and was forced to serve a four-year ban, ensuring he has lost considerable ground on the likes of Gay and Bolt, who boast personal bests of 9.69 and 9.58 respectively.

But Gatlin, whose lifetime best stands at 9.85, believes he knows exactly what to expect from the world's best.

"I think I am a championship kind of runner and competitor and I have a big heart. I always rise to the occasion in competitions," said Gatlin, who is hopeful of competing at the London 2012 Olympics.

"I'm just working on me right now. I have to make sure I run good times before I can think about being in a race with him.

"I have been there before and raced against those guys before so I'm not going to be nervous or scared to run against them."