Fearnley was touted as a real medal chance yesterday when the Australian Paralympic Committee unveiled its Beijing athletics team and it was little wonder given his latest success.

On Sunday Fearnley took out the Long Island 10 kilometre road race in New York for the fourth time in five years and it was not only the victory, but the fashion in which he won, which will have his Paralympic rivals nervous.

Fearnley blew away the field to finish 30 seconds ahead of Japan’s Yamamoto as he clocked a time of 19 minutes, 54 seconds for the distance. Australia’s Richard Coleman rounded out the top three.

“I came to the US this year with a different mindset, instead of win at all costs, it’s about survival and preparation,” the CSU graduate said.

“The focus is on September, so to come out unscathed with a good time was my goal today. To finish in front and by such a margin is a nice bonus.”

With Fearnley set to contest a 5km race in Cedartown, Georgia, today before finishing his trip in Atlanta with a second 10km contest and a track meet over the weekend, he was unable to attend the athletics team launch.

The 27-year-old was one of 48 athletes named in the Australian team and will attempt to defend his 5000 metre and marathon Paralympic titles after a stellar 2007 that saw him win 10 of 11 major marathons on five continents.

Fearnley said the challenge of defending his Paralympic gold in Beijing is something he can’t wait for. It will be the wheelchair athlete’s third Paralympic Games after featuring in Sydney and Athens.

“Everything I have done for the last four years has basically revolved around Beijing, I can’t stop thinking about it,” Fearnley said.

“It’s going to be an amazing experience. I have already competed at the Beijing national stadium and come September, when it’s full of spectators, it’s going to be something special.”

On top of his two gold medals, Fearnley also has a pair of silver Paralympic medals to his credit alongside a host of world titles.

With the first Paralympic Games in 1960 the only time Australia has not won an athletics gold medal, expectations are high.

“It’s our goal to have the best away Games we have ever had and I think we’re on track to do that,” Scott Goodman, Australian Paralympic athletics team head coach said.

“We have established athletes mixed with an excellent group of young athletes and we’re excited to see them all in action.”