“Nesta Carter, Michael Frater are very good starters, better starters than me,’’ Bolt said. “But the last 60 (meters) are the best part of my race, so I was never really worried. Overall it was good.’’
Bolt, who competed for the first time on the Stade Louis II track, is unbeaten this season and said winning races, even by small margins, is the most important thing ahead of the worlds.
“For me it’s always key to keep winning,’’ he said. “And I’m getting better. My last 60 meters have improved dramatically. I need to work on my reaction time, but I’ve been doing great in training, so I’m just focusing and I feel ready.’’
The worlds start Aug. 27 in Daegu, South Korea. Bolt’s last race before the championships will be the 200 at Stockholm next week.
Bolt was hampered by injuries last season. He has said that he won’t lower his 100-meter world record this year and is concentrating on defending his sprint titles in Daegu.
“My aim this season is to run 9.7, maybe 9.6,’’ he said. “For me, this year it’s about building myself and go into the Olympic season fit and ready. London is the key.’’
In the men’s 800, world record holder David Rudisha of Kenya improved the season-best time he set last month, winning in 1 minute, 42.61 seconds.
Rudisha, who was hampered by tendinitis in his left foot earlier this season, stayed close to pacemaker Sammy Tangui in the first lap before pulling away from the pack.
Asbel Kiprop of Kenya produced a great effort in the final stretch to close the gap, but had to settle for second with a personal best of 1:43.15. Nick Symmonds of the U.S. was third in 1:43.83.
“I felt great, I knew my shape was coming along nicely and it’s nice to see such a fast time,’’ Rudisha said. “Training has been going well so I was looking forward to a nice race.’’
Rudisha broke Wilson Kipketer’s 13-year-old world record twice last year. He first ran 1:41.09 then 1:41.01 seven days later.
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