19 Jul 2012

Impressive Blake lays down marker for Bolt

12:07 pm on 19 July 2012

The world 100 metres champion Yohan Blake showed he was in good heart to challenge compatriot Usain Bolt for Olympic sprint dominance after clocking 9.85 seconds to win in Lucerne.

Blake, making his first appearance since shocking Olympic 100 and 200 champion Bolt over both distances at the Jamaican trials earlier this month, burst clear in the final 30 metres to claim an easy victory.

Jamaica's Michael Frater was second in 10.0 with Trinidad & Tobago's Marc Burns, given the same time, in third place.

The 22-year-old Blake won the world 100 title in Daegu, South Korea, last year, a race notable for the absence of Bolt who was disqualified for a false start.