Dwain Chambers cruised into the 60 metres sprint final after storming to victory in his semi-final at the World Indoor Championships in Valencia. The controversial sprinter, who is one of the favourites for the title, looked in excellent form as he led home the field, equalling his season's best time of 6.55 seconds.

Chambers was the third fastest qualifier for the final after Olusoji Fasuba of Nigeria, the season's top performer, equalled his season's best of 6.5secs and Michael Rodgers of the United States ran 6.54. Fellow Brit Simeon Williamson joined Chambers in the final, qualifying as a fastest loser in his semi-final.

All eyes in the Palau Velodromo stadium were on the former drug cheat, who has showed brilliant form after returning to athletics following a brief dalliance with American football.

Chambers, showing no signs of pressure despite the constant attention he has attracted since his arrival in Spain, was offered little genuine challenge nor did he face the hostile reception that many had predicted.

The 29-year-old Londoner said he was delighted with the reception. "I'm very happy with it," he said after his heat this morning. "I didn't want any more stress. People have been greeting me and everyone is happy to see me back on the track. I just want to go out there and win a medal for my country."

"It's good to be back on the track and running fast."

Chambers has promised to raise his game in order to realise his ambition of becoming only the second British 60m champion since Jason Gardener's triumph four years ago.

A victory may embarrass UK Athletics (UKA), who reluctantly had to include him in the Norwich Union GB team under the threat of possible legal action that has put him at loggerheads with the governing body, despite easily winning last month's trial race.

UKA would have preferred to blood a younger athlete who is eligible to compete at this summer's Olympic Games.

After testing positive for the designer steroid THG in 2003, Chambers is automatically barred from competing under the rules of the British Olympic Association.

"This is going to be my Olympic Games," Chambers said. "I have no Olympics in the summer so I'm going to give everything I've got here."

Qualifiers for the 60m final

1. Olusoji Fasuba (Nigeria) 6.51

2. Michael Rodgers (U.S.) 6.54

3. Dwain Chambers (Britain) 6.55

4. Vicente de Lima (Brazil) 6.59

5. Andrey Yepishin (Russia) 6.60

6. Kim Collins (St Kitts and Nevis) 6.61

7. Simeon Williamson (Britain) 6.63

8. Isaac Uche (Nigeria) 6.65