Brussels: Usain Bolt still has plenty to run for when he settles into the blocks for the 100 meters today at the Van Damme Memorial.
The Jamaican sprinter, who was disqualified from the 100 metres at the world championships for a false start, has only the sixth-best time of the year at 9.85 seconds. But in his last race of the season, Bolt will be looking to beat the season's top time of 9.78 seconds run by teammate Asafa Powell.
Despite a poor start in Zagreb on Tuesday in his first race since the World Championship in South Korea, Bolt clocked 9.85, only 0.07 seconds shy of Powell's mark. And the world-record holder will compete on one of his favourite tracks in King Baudouin Stadium, where he a ran blistering 9.77 seconds into a headwind three years ago.
"It should be good," Bolt said shortly after arriving from Zagreb. "Definitely. I think I can do it. I've run very fast on this track."
Weather predictions call for ideal conditions today. Challengers to Bolt will be Jamaican teammate Nesta Carter and American rival Justin Gatlin.
No one doubts Bolt's speed once he hits full stride — it's his release from the blocks that has been the problem this season.
In a stunning few seconds at the world championships late last month, Bolt jumped the gun in the 100 final before Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake won gold. It was a huge surprise that Bolt blamed on a bout of anxiety at the worst moment.
Giant strides
He has not false started since, but looked hesitant and slow out of the block in all his other races.
"It is hard to put it out because it is really fresh, but I have to deal with it," Bolt said.
In Zagreb, he reacted slowly to the gun and trailed veteran Kim Collins until past halfway before his giant strides made the difference.
"I looked really bad. I was at the back of the pack," he said. "I lost focus for a few seconds." Brussels gives him one more chance to correct that before he heads into a monthlong holiday. Then the 2012 London Olympics will be on his mind.
"I am going to get better next season," Bolt said of his start. "It is going to be fine."
