Bolt clocks modest 10.12 in win after early troubles

It hardly went to plan for six-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt in his first 100m of the season, but the big Jamaican is happy that he is at least getting into the habit of winning in Brazil ahead of next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The winning time was, however, the slowest registered by the sprinter in a 100m final.

The triple-world-record holder came away victorious at the 'Mano a Mano' competition, held on a specially constructed track built in the upcoming Olympic host city.

With a headwind and slipped starting blocks providing added challenges, Bolt recovered to reel in American Ryan Bailey, whom he trailed during the early strides of the contest.

took control

Bolt took control of the race at the halfway mark, before showing encouraging strength to pull away from the field and win in a modest time of 10.12 seconds.

Bailey finished second in 10.24, with home-boy JosÈ Carlos Moreira taking third in 10.51. Churandy Martina of The Netherlands finished in fourth place with a time of 10.53.

"I think it was poor execution overall," said Bolt. "I am sure my coach isn't going to be too happy. The good thing is that I won."

It was the third time that Bolt had competed at this competition in Rio. In 2013, he raced over 150m, winning in 14.42, and last year, he won the 100m there in 10.06. The next time he races in Rio could well be at the 2016 Olympics.

"Overall, I didn't feel myself, but I think it is just lack of races," said Bolt, who has also run 20.20 for 200m and 46.38 for 400m so far this year.

"It will take time for me to get back to my best, so I just need to run more and I'll be OK.

"This is always my first race of the season, so it is not going to be as fast as everyone wants it to be."

His next race will be at the IAAF/BTC World Relays, Bahamas 2015, at the start of May.

In the women's race, two-time Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown won in 11.04 in her first race of the season. She comfortably defeated USA's 2011 world champion, Carmelita Jeter, who ran 11.19.

Kerron Stewart was third in 11.30, and Brazilian junior Vitoria Cristina Rosa was fourth in 11.59.