Blake well below his best

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Yohan Blake continues to struggle to find his best form after an injury-ravaged 2013 season, sputtering to a 20.48 seconds clocking and sixth place in his Lausanne Diamond League 200m appearance yesterday.

Blake, the fastest man over the distance in the field with a 19.26 personal best, was far from that sort of form, or the impressive 19 seconds 4x200m split that powered Jamaica to a world record 1:18.63 in the event at the recent IAAF World Relays in The Bahamas.

The 2011 world 100m champion finished behind winner Alonso Edwards, 19.84, compatriot Nickel Ashmeade, 20.06, and Christophe Lemaitre, 20.11.

While Ashmeade was posting his best time for the season, Blake was finishing in his second 20.4-second clocking so far this year after a 20.49 run at the UWI Invitational in March, as he continues to work his way back after missing the entire 2013 season.

Riley third

National champion Andrew Riley finished third in the 110m hurdles in 13.23 behind winner Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, 13.06, with Sergey Shubenkov taking second in 13.13.

Justin Gatlin continued his impressive season, remaining unbeaten in the 100m with a time of 9.80 over the returning Tyson Gay, 9.93 and Mike Rodgers, 9.98. Jamaican Kemar Bailey-Cole, 10.14, finished sixth. Michael Frater clocked 10.44 to finish behind James Dasaolu, 10.03, in the 'B' race.

Kirani James, 43.74, got the better of LaShawn Merritt (43.92) in their latest 400m showdown. Youssef Masrahi finished third in 44.43.