Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin cruised through the opening round of the 100 metres at the US trials on Thursday as America’s top sprinters launched their bids for August’s World Champion-ships.

Former world champion Gay, the year’s fastest man, won his heat in 10.28 seconds while Olympic bronze medallist Gatlin, racing into a stronger head wind, finished behind collegian Charles Silmon in 10.37 in the next race.

Silmon ran 10.35.

“I didn’t really have a great start,” said Gay, his hair and beard neatly trimmed after several months of letting both grow out.

“But (I wanted) to the get the kinks out, get the nerves out. I should be ready for the final.”

Gatlin, who recently surprised world record holder Usain Bolt in Rome, was more concerned about qualifying than a fast time, especially with a 2.9 metres per second wind blowing into his face.

“There was a little hurricane out there, the head wind, but it felt good to come out here and shake the legs out a little bit,” said the 2004 Olympic 100 metres gold medallist.

Olympic silver medallist Galen Rupp claimed the men’s 10,000 metres final, winning in 28 minutes, 47.32 seconds, two seconds ahead of runner-up Dathan Ritzenhein, with Shalane Flanagan, the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist, taking the women’s race in 31:43.20.

The championships continue through tomorrow.