WORLD and European indoor champion Richard Kilty believes the chance to run against the cream of British sprinting this weekend will be a great pre-cursor to next year’s Olympic Games in Rio.

The 25-year-old from Stockton is one of five Britons in the 100m start list for the weekend’s Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix at Alexander Stadium.

Kilty laid down a marker for the outdoor season by shaking off a hamstring injury to run a 10.09-second personal best in Gateshead last month – the fastest time in Britain this year.

But, as he prepares to run against London 2012 semi-finalist Adam Gemili et al, Kilty knows it is important to keep his form going to ensure he is in peak condition when the chance to qualify for Rio comes around.

“It’s a world class field,” he said. “There are heats and the main thing is to run pretty quickly and get into the final, which I’m sure I can do.

“I’m feeling confident. I’ve beaten almost everybody in the field at one point, but anyone can win a sprint race on the day and I think it will be very tight throughout the field.

“It will be a great clash between the British lads, it will be competitive before the five of us in the field. “Sprinting in Great Britain is looking great at the moment and I’m looking to be a major part of that come next summer in Rio, that’s what everything is gearing towards at the moment.

“This is the first time I have done the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix, so it’s very important for me to come out and perform well in the home Diamond League.

“I’ve been competing at the Alexander Stadium since I was 11 years-old in the young athletes league finals. So I’m looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd and hopefully performing well.”

Kilty kicked off 2015 by claiming 60m gold in the European Indoor Championships in Prague, 12 months after being crowned world champion in Poland.

That form is yet to be repeated outdoors, but with the World Championships to come in Beijing later this year, Kilty knows now he must come of age.

“The World Indoors was one race and awesome to win, but to go out and back it up again at the Europeans gives me that mental strength and positivity that I can do it again,” he added.

“I’ve been working on the outdoor season all winter, so we’ll see what comes of it this summer.

“I’ve won everything I can indoors. I’m the reigning World and European champion, so now all the focus will be on the outdoors and the Olympics. I missed out in 2012, so everything now is full throttle to hopefully make that team for Rio.

“Gold in Beijing would be a dream come true, but the first step is to make the team. I’m confident I can.”

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