THE signs are looking ominous for those aspiring to depose Michael Johnson as World 400 metres champion.

The American dream machine showed no signs of an imminent breakdown as he cruised into the semi-finals last night in third gear, heading the second heat in an easy-looking 45.10 seconds.

Jamie Baulch, good friend and Welsh teammate of Southampton's absent European champion Iwan Thomas, looked almost as comfortable in leading the first heat home in 45.14, seconds ahead of former World champion Antonio Pettigrew.

Heat three was an altogether quicker affair with Britain's main hope Mark Richardson stretched more than he would like to have been at such an early stage in the championships.

Jerome Young, the other US dangerman, has consistently beaten the Windsor, Slough & Eton athlete this season and again he kept the Briton in check with a time of 44.94.

Richardson was never in danger of missing out but he needed to keep his wits about him to secure third place behind Mexico's Alejandro Cardenas in 44.98.

Johnson was a picture of calm contentment afterwards. Despite being dubbed "grumpy" by sections of the press, he was only too happy to be interviewed.

It may have said something about Richardson's state of mind that he by-passed the British reporters without so much as a backward glance.

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