Such are his heightened expectations after a breakout 2022 campaign that Australian Olli Hoare was disappointed to only finish third behind the peerless Jakob Ingebrigtsen in a stacked men's 1500m at the Diamond League meet in Rabat.
In what could well be a precursor to the world championships title race in Budapest in August, the Norwegian threw down the challenge with 450 metres to run.
Hoare looked likely to hold onto second spot before being overtaken by American training partner Yared Nuguse in the dying stages.
Hoare, 26, clocked three minutes 33.39 seconds, with Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Ingebrigtsen claiming the win in 3:32.59 on Sunday evening (early Monday AEST).
"I wanted to stick on Jakob and outkick him at the end to make it more tactical but I wasn’t able to do it," said Hoare.
"I just didn’t have the legs in the last 100m but I was very close to him and I was competitive.
"If third place at a Diamond League is a bit of a disappointment, it’s a good place to be.
"I’m looking forward to progressing to this race and building up to Oslo Diamond League in a couple of weeks.
"I just want to be competitive at the top end of the field. The one goal for this year is go through to worlds and qualify for the final and come out with a medal or win."
Last year in Birmingham, Hoare joined the legendary Herb Elliott as the only Australians to win the metric mile at the Commonwealth Games.
He was a key member of the Australian squad which won bronze in the mixed relay at the world cross country championships earlier this year in Bathurst.
Fellow Australian Catriona Bisset also secured an impressive podium finish in the women's 800m at the Diamond League meet in the Moroccan capital.
Bisset ran strongly to stop the clock in 2:00.11 for second spot behind runaway winner Mary Moraa from Kenya (1:58.72).
“I feel like everything is falling into place now," said the Australian record holder.
"Last year, I made so many big changes to every part of my training and sometimes it takes a little while to see the fruits of your labour.
"I’ve got PBs in training and PBs in the gym and now it’s about applying all of that strength, so I’m excited for what’s to come."
Australian Linden Hall was sixth in the women's 1500m in 4:03.56.
In other action, reigning American world champ Fred Kerley powered past Akani Simbine and Ferdinand Omanyala to win the men's 100m.
Kerley who started his 2023 campaign in Melbourne back in March, won in a meet record time of 9.94.
Olympic gold medallist Lamont Jacobs did not compete due to a back issue.
In the final event of the night, home hero Soufiane El Bakkali saluted in the 3000m steeplechase to the delight of the home crowd.
Olympic champion El Bakkali ran a personal best of 7:56.68 to finish well ahead of Getnet Wale (8:05.15) and Abraham Kibiwot (8:05.51).
Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh - who was second on countback behind Australian Eleanor Patterson at last year's world championships in Eugene - won the women's high jump with 2.01m.
The next Diamond League meet is in Florence on June 2.
With Reuters
