Bolt's thunder stolen by Blake's lightning dash

USAIN BOLT: The world 100m record holder will have to battle with Yohan Blake this year (AFP)

Usain Bolt opened his 2012 season with an impressive relay leg in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday night, but the Lightning Bolt had his thunder stolen in the UTech Invitational.

The 100m and 200m world record holder anchored Racers Track Club to victory in the 4x100m relay in 37.82sec, a meeting record and world-leading time in 2012, but in the individual 100m Bolt's training partner Yohan Blake clocked the fastest time ever recorded at this stage of the year. Blake, winner of the 100m at the World Championships in Daegu last summer after Bolt had been disqualified for a false start, sped to victory in 9.90sec. Bolt did not run.

"I could have pushed some more towards the end but my coach told me to take it easy tonight," Blake said.

Bolt said: "It was my first and I'm happy I got through. I am working on what I need to. Everything is coming together." An MVP team featuring Dwain Chambers and Asafa Powell finished second in the relay in 38.27sec. Chambers also ran in the 200m, placing fourth in 21.32sec.

At the South African Championships in Port Elizabeth, Oscar Pistorius was seventh in the 400m final, clocking 47.28sec. Still, as the only South African with an Olympic A standard qualifying time of 45.30sec in 2012, the Blade Runner remains on course for the London Games. He needs one more qualifying time on the international circuit before 30 June. "It's not a train smash," he said.