Alan Webb ran the most important race in his adult career today, in Paris France. Track Profile's Bob Ramsak saw the race live and wrote a great report on this race, before he called it a day, at 3 am local Paris time! Here are his observations:

Webb takes lead from Baala with 20 meters to go!

With a brilliant display of assertive racing, Alan Webb powered to a 3:30.54 victory in the 1500 to highlight the Meeting Gaz de France Paris- St. Denis, the second stop on the six-meet IAAF Golden League series.

Running aggressively from the outset, the 24-year-old three-time American champion never lost control of the race, despite the relatively brisk pace.

"I knew it was going to be hard," Webb said, explaining his decision to run near the front from the gun despite the pre-race plan for a 2:47 split through 1200 meters. "I could have been in fifth place and it would have been hard."

Running just off the shoulders of the pacesetters, Webb led at the bell, but was closely shadowed by Mehdi Baala, the meet's key star attraction. But the Frenchman, who had planned an attack on his own national record of 3:28.98, was on cruise control as well, and appeared calm and collected as he took the lead just before the 1200 point. As Baala passed, it appeared as though Webb would pay for his assertive running. But a gap never appeared.

"I wasn't giving up," Webb said. "He put in a big surge at 300 (to go), and I covered that, and I thought, "Gotcha!" Sticking with Baala as they entered the homestretch, Webb moved to the front about 50 meters before the finish and powered through to the finish, his arms raised to frame a look of disbelief.

"I was surprised a little bit at first," Webb said, smiling widely. "But you know, I put in a lot of work. I've worked really hard to get here. In the moment, I was thinking, 'it's over, I won!'"

In the process he smashed his previous career best of 3:32.52 set in Rieti in 2005, to become the third fastest American ever over the distance, trailing only Bernard Lagat and Sydney Maree.

"I knew that I wanted to be competitive, and knew that it would need a PB (to win). I knew it was going to be at least 3:31. If I saw 3:27 I wouldn't at all have been surprised. That's how good this field was."

His win comes just a few days after he lowered his personal best in the 800 to 1:45.80, boding well for the upcoming world championships. But Webb said that Osaka is still a ways off.

"I still have some work to do, and I certainly can't rest on my laurels," said Webb, who finished ninth at the 2005 Championships in Helsinki. "There's a lot of work to be done. I want to be on the medal stand in Osaka."

He described his victory as the biggest of his career, and likened a Golden League triumph to a win on Monday Night Football, the weekly NFL contest when the sporting public's attention is fully focused on one particular match.

"What does it mean to win Monday Night football? In the big scheme of things, not much. But when you're in the moment, throwing the touchdown pass on Monday night..." Laughing, he added, "This week I own the track."

In front of a crowd of more than 50,000 at the Stade de France, four athletes --100m hurdler Michelle Perry, 400m ace Sanya Richards, javelin thrower Tero Pitkamaki of Finland, and pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva-- remained in the hunt for the $1 million Golden League Jackpot. The chase resumes next Friday at the Golden Gala in Rome's Olympic Stadium.

ENDS

----- -----------------------------------------

The TRACK PROFILE REPORT is a news and feature service published by the Track Profile News Service. In addition to regularly dispatched news, profile and interview features, subscribers also receive exclusive on-site updates from major national and international competitions, usually within 24 hours. Copyright (c) 2007 by Bob Ramsak and TRACK PROFILE. All rights reserved. Reproduction, republication, reposting and retransmission in ANY form is strictly prohibited without express permission from the editor. Small portions may be reproduced ONLY if accompanied by source citation and *ADVANCE* notice in writing to Track Profile. Please contact the editor at bob@trackprofile.com for reprint permission. [ Visit www.trackprofile.com for more. ] ----- -----------------------------------------

The TRACK PROFILE Report is sponsored in part by Shooting Star Media, Inc., publisher of American Track & Field, Athletes Only and Lationos Corriendo, among their seven print publications and five websites, is a proud member of the Running Network, LLC, which represents 35 of the finest regional and national athletics and running publications in North America. American Track & Field [ http:// www.american-trackandfield.com ] is a professional magazine geared to coaches, athletes and enthusiasts of track & field, race walking, road racing and cross country running. Links to all Shooting Star Media publications can be found on its website at http:// www.shootingstarmediainc.com . ------ -----------------------------------------

Individual subscriptions: USD 50/EUR 45/year. To make payment arrangements, send an email to bob@trackprofile.com or you can pay by credit card via PayPal at [http://www.trackprofile.com/dispatch.html ]. Likewise, direct all comments, suggestions, questions, and corrections via email to bob@trackprofile.com . More info at http:// www.trackprofile.com .

END - TPR #663 - 6-July-2007