Dwain Chambers today claimed Britain's second gold medal at the European Indoor Championships with victory in the 60 metres.
After a false start by team-mate Simeon Williamson, Chambers stormed out of the blocks and was never in danger of being caught.
The 30-year-old crossed the line in 6.46 seconds with Italian duo Fabio Cerutti and Emanuele Di Gregorio claiming silver and bronze.
Williamson was fourth in 6.57sec with Pickering, silver medallist two years ago, fifth in 6.61.
Chambers insisted he wanted to concentrate on the future and put the spectre of his drug-cheating past behind him despite his autobiography 'Race Against Me' being published tomorrow.
The no-holds-barred book was serialised earlier this week and dominated the build-up to the championships.
Chambers, though, told BBC2: ‘As I said earlier, it has to come to an end at some point.
‘The more we talk about it the more the sport is going to be tarnished with the past.
‘And if there is going to be a prosperous 2009 then we need to put the past behind us.’
The 30-year-old is barred from competing in a number of events because of his drug-cheating past as well as being unable to represent Great Britain in the Olympics.
Of what his immediate future holds, the Londoner said: ‘I'll address that. I'm going to have a rest for a while and make a few phone calls and see what opportunities come up.’
Regarding the race, he added: ‘It's been a great privilege to be here
‘I wanted to run quicker but I just had to concentrate on winning.
‘I've been in this situation before where I concentrated on time and I've lost it.
‘This is a very important championship for me.
‘I've done what I set out to do so that is what I am pleased about.’
