ROME, Italy (AFP) — Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt said he will review the key ingredients missing from his race after being pipped to victory in his first 100 metre outing in Europe this season by American rival Justin Gatlin.

Gatlin came into the Rome Golden Gala expected to challenge the world record holder (9.58sec) on the back of two wins in the opening two legs of the Diamond League in Doha and in Eugene.

Bolt, meanwhile, was making his first appearance on the continent since his recent recovery from a hamstring injury.

The Jamaican surprised himself with a strong start but soon had trouble finding the required rhythm and later admitted his traditionally strong finish was absent.

Bolt, who will next compete in Oslo at the Bislett Games before returning to Jamaica on June 14, said he felt no twinge from his hamstring during the race but felt “a little sore” afterwards.

But he admits he has work to do ahead of the World Championships in Moscow later this summer.

“I got a great start. I think the fact that I did threw me off a little,” said the Jamaican. “Normally the last 50 (metres) is the best part of my race, but it wasn’t there.

“But I’m not worried. I wanted to find out where I was at here and now I will go home and look at the tape, see where I went wrong and come out and do better next time.”

Gatlin’s weaker start did not stop him clinching the win with a dipped finish in a time of 9.94, his third win in the Diamond League this season.

But the 2004 Olympic champion, who once served a four-year ban for doping, admitted his technique is also a work in progress.

“Last season I was a really good starter, this year, it’s been a little slower,” said the American. “I’m trying to get that back and get the middle of my race stronger.

“I just want to stay healthy. It’s a long season ahead.”

Olympic champion Allyson Felix settled for second in the women’s 200m where Murielle Ahoure of Ivory Coast clocked a new national record on her way to the win.

The African made the most of the absence of Jamaicans Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the Olympic silver medallist in London, and Sherone Simpson to clock a time of 22.36.

Americans topped the podium in a number of key events with Lashawn Merritt winning the men’s 400m ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Youssef Ahmed Masrahi.

Dawn Harper-Nelson won the women’s 100m hurdles ahead of compatriot Lolo Jones, while Johnny Dutch literally threw himself over the line to clinch the men’s 400m hurdles and Olympic champion Christian Taylor won the triple jump with a leap of 17.08.