Blake ready to shine at Racers Grand Prix

Yohan Blake says that he is eager to face the starter for the 100 metres dash at the third staging of the Racers Grand Prix next week Saturday as the line-up is promising one of the fastest 100m races of the season.

"Based on the line-up, the race should be fast, but I am the defending champion, and I am looking forward to defending my title," Blake told The Gleaner.

Blake, along with his training partner Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain, will have their work cut out for them as Noah Lyles, who has a world-leading time of 19.69 seconds over 200m, is looking to stamp his authority on the shorter distance.

"Lyles is a very good athlete. He is running some fast times this season, and it should be interesting," Blake said before a training session earlier this week.

Blake is also looking to put the demons of the Commonwealth Games behind him after he ran third in the 100m after stumbling out of the blocks.

"I have been in pretty good shape all season. It is just some circumstances which have caused me not to run fast," Blake explained. "But I have been doing some things in training, and I am looking to try them in the race."

TREAT FOR FANS

Meet director Glen Mills also believes that the men's 100m should be a treat for fans if conditions are favourable.

"We have put together some very competitive races, and if the conditions are right, we could see a lot of world-leading times," Mills said. "For example, the men's 100 should be great because we have Lyles, who has run 19.69, and if you have run that fast, then your 100m should be really good."

He added: "Zharnel Hughes ran on the boards (at the Boston Adidas Games on May 20) and ran under 10 seconds, even though it was slightly wind-aided.

In the women's 100m, Briana Williams will test herself against the big girls as she gets ready for the World Under-20 Championship in July. Williams, who is ranked in the world in the Under-20 category, will line-up against World champion Tori Bowie, Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallists Christania Williams, and Gayon Evans.

Olympic Champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Shericka Jackson should keep fans on their toes in the women's 200m as Jackson looks to turn the tide on Miller-Uibo, who claimed the title at the Commonwealth Games.