Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt slumped to his second defeat in three days at the hands of his training partner, Yohan Blake, when he was beaten into second place in the 200 metres final at the Jamaican Olympic trials in Kingston.

In a result that will have London 2012 organisers salivating at the prospect of ferocious re-match on the biggest stage of all in five weeks’ time, Blake crossed the line in 19.80sec, with Bolt 0.03sec behind.

It follows Bolt’s defeat to Blake by a 0.11sec margin in the 100m final on Friday and underlined the size of the task the world record-holder now faces to defend his Olympic crowns.

If anything, Bolt’s 200m defeat is an even bigger shock than this 100m reverse because the longer sprint is an event he has owned since smashing Michael Johnson’s world record in Beijing four years ago. Outside qualifying rounds, his last 200m defeat was in Brussels in September 2007.

Blake, who had always been considered a 100m specialist until he clocked 19.26sec at the same Brussels meet last year to become the second fastest 200m in history behind Bolt, said his victory was down to hard work in training.

"I have been working hard and am seeing it paying off now," Blake said. "I was not surprised by the big win. I know what Bolt has to offer and I know he was not at 100 percent. I just tried to keep my form."

After blaming his 100m loss on his poor start, Bolt said his latest defeat was due mainly to a poor bend.

"I was very sad with my turn,” said Bolt. “It was awful, but I've been working more on the 100 metres. I can't blame it on that, though. I just have to get my things together and get it done."

But he promised he would bounce back from his defeats and said he was confident he would be in peak condition by the time of the Olympics.

"It's all about work and just needing to get my things together and get it right," Bolt said. "I’ve got to get in the work and figure out what I did wrong.

"I have to work hard to get ready for the Olympics. I think I am a little bit weak but three more weeks should be good enough to get back into shape."

Glen Mills, who coaches both men at the Kingston-based Racers Track Club, said: "Usain, he has the experience, the ability. He has been there already. He might be a little off at the moment but I'm sure when the time of delivery comes around, he'll be on top of his game."

Bolt added: "I can never be discouraged. I'm never worried until my coach gets worried, and my coach isn't worried, so I'm OK."

-Simon Hart

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk