‘Horrible’ Bolt still better than the rest

Usain Bolt’s first visit to New York produced a world record, and the start of his reign as track’s biggest icon. Saturday’s return produced a narrow victory in the 200 meters that was so unimpressive and uninspiring that even the Jamaican star called it the worst turn he had run in his career, and fretted races like this could tarnish his sterling legacy.

Hyperbole, to be sure. Bolt ran just his second competitive 200 meters since 2013 and won the Adidas Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium in 20.29 seconds. But for a six-time Olympic gold medalist whose 19.19 world record is over a second faster, it’s not the kind of race he wants or the sort that will earn him gold next summer in Rio.

“I’m definitely not happy about my performance today. My turn was horrible. I don’t know what happened. I really can’t explain. It was really bad. It was probably one of the worst turns I’ve ever run in my entire life,’’ said Bolt, quickly amending that to “the worst, for sure. The worst ever.

“I ran to 150, I knew it wasn’t going to be a good time because of the turn I ran. After the turn, I pretty much gave up. … I have no idea [why.] I’m still kind of baffled over what happened.’’

It was enough to beat Anguilla’s Zharnel Hughes (20.32) into a strong head- wind. But it wasn’t what Bolt or longtime coach Glen Mills expected.

“Right now I’m not even worried about Rio. I’m worried about what’s happening and I just need to try to figure out what’s going on this season. I need to buckle down and get everything right,’’ Bolt said. “I’m happy about my legacy but this season is not going so smoothly. I’ve got to work, see what’s going on, sit with my coach. With this pace, my legacy is going to be in trouble.’’

The fastest 200 this year is the 19.68 run by Bolt’s Brooklyn-born rival Justin Gatlin, who also has the top 100 time (9.74). They won’t meet until the World Championships two months from now in Beijing, with neither competing in Saturday’s 100, won by American Tyson Gay in a come-frombehind 10.12.

“He didn’t approach the turn with his usual aggression that he’s capable of. I haven’t had a chance to speak to him how he felt or why he didn’t attack it,’’ said Mills. “Normally he’d run a more aggressive turn. The straight we know strong headwind, but we need a more aggressive approach to the turn.’’

Neptune ( N.J.) native Ajee Wilson wom the the women’s 800 meters.