The full monty leaves Chambers chastened

Tim Montgomery and Dwain Chambers proved in the IAAF Grand Prix final that intense rivalry and not stage-managed races is more likely to produce a world record.

The small crowd in Paris who turned up for the titanic battle between the pair will never forget the speed from both men as they erupted from their starting blocks.

That was the first indication that something special was on the cards in the historic Stade Charlety.

The second came after 30 metres when Montgomery put his foot down even harder on the gas.

Try as he might, Chambers, who had led his major rival 2-1 in their earlier international clashes this summer, just could not match the fiery pace of last year’s World silver medallist.

But there was no towel thrown in by the European champion, even though the 27-year-old American had almost a metre to spare when crossing the line and becoming the fastest man ever with a winning time of 9.78 seconds.

Chambers' dogged perseverance saw him match the European record of 9.87secs set nine years ago in Stuttgart when his former manager Linford Christie was gloriously crowned world champion a year after earning the Olympic crown.

Almost unnoticed behind the two leading speedsters, Jon Drummond ran half a second faster than he has done this year with a time of 9.97secs. Also under the 10-second barrier was Kim Collins (9.98secs).

In the second last major meeting of the summer, the confrontation between Montgomery and Chambers was eagerly awaited. Loss of form by world record holder Maurice Greene - the "Kansas Cannonball" ran 9.79secs in Athens in 1999 - meant the pair were vying to succeed him as world number one - at least for this year.

Montgomery, delighted the wind speed of two metres per second was on the permitted limit, said: "This year, I got beaten many times by Dwain Chambers and I was sort of furious. I went back home and refocused."

Although he has insisted all year he could break the world record, Montgomery admitted mastering Chambers was his major target as it will be when they again come head-to-head in this weekend’s World Cup final.

"I knew the race would be fast," said Montgomery, born in Gaffney, South Carolina, but who has since moved home like a gypsy.

"I just wanted to get there and run. I had no time objective, I just wanted to beat Chambers.

"But I took my focus off Dwain to concentrate better. I decided to focus on Coby Miller and I tried to get the best start possible. At 30 metres, I saw no-one around me so I kept digging as deep as possible.

"And from then on I kept running and running and running. You know, world records always happen when you expect them the least. I didn’t know I would be able to break the world record during the warm-up.

"This is the end of a great season for me. I knew I was in great shape and today everything was just perfect. The wind was perfect, my reaction time was almost perfect (0.104), but that is what you need to break world records."

Yet Montgomery, coached by Trevor Howard, also mentor of Marion Jones, did not know he had broken Greene’s three-year mark.

He said: "I only realised I had done something special after finishing, when my coach ran towards me on the track and lifted me up in the air.

"I knew I could break the world record ever since I ran 9.96secs at the age of 19 when I had no muscles, no training and no technique. I didn’t know when, but I knew I eventually would do it.

"There is no limit for the record - records are meant to be broken and I am sure they will all be."

Chambers was a disappointed runner-up. The Londoner, who beat Montgomery in Oslo and London but lost to the American in Zurich, said: "I may have equalled the European record today but still, I have lost the race.

"I am disappointed I didn’t win. Times are somehow irrelevant to me, what I want is to win races. I don‘t like finishing second! I am pleased with the record, yes, but my main feeling at this moment is disappointment for not having been able to beat Montgomery."

Analysing the impact of the defeat, Chambers said: "I have had a great season this year but have also learnt a lot for the future.

"I will rest more between races, this has been the first year I have been faced with this type of race where every Friday you have to come out and be at your very best."

He added: "I am traumatised by what Tim did, completely traumatised. But I will be back."