Michael Phelps notched two more victories on Saturday, incuding a 200-metre individual medley triumph over Ryan Lochte, to take his total to five at USA Swimming’s Indianapolis Grand Prix.
Phelps, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist who saw Lochte dominate men’s swimming last year, showed he is back on track for July’s World Championsihps in Shanghai and the 2012 London Olympics, but said he has plenty of work to do.
“In my eyes, it just feels good to be able to race and race at a good speed,” said Phelps, who was competing for the second time this season after a disappointing Grand Prix outing in Austin, Texas, in January.
“After the weekend at Austin, I felt like I didn’t get one thing out of it other than feeling slow and out of shape. Being able to slingshot into this meet just shows how fast things can change.”
Phelps’s head-to-head clash with Lochte in Saturday’s 200m individual medley was a highlight of the weekend.
Phelps is the two-time defending Olympic gold medallist while Lochte seized the world record in 2009.
Lochte beat Phelps in Austin, but this time Phelps dominated.
Phelps led Lochte by more than eight-tenths of a second at the midway point, extended his lead at the final turn and won by more than two seconds.
Phelps’ time of 1 minute 56.88 seconds also supplanted Lochte for the top time in the world this year.
Lochte finished in 1:59.19, his best time of the year, but lost both of his finals contests against Phelps here.
“He’s back. There’s no doubt about it,” Lochte said. “I don’t think he’s ever not there, no matter what he says. I feel like he can step up and race any time.”
In the 100 free, Phelps delivered a storming final lap to win in 48.89 - another season-leading time.
Matt Grevers was second in 50.01 and veteran Jason Lezak third in 50.08.
“The last 50 just felt incredible,” Phelps said. “I felt like I really was able to build a lot of momentum coming off the wall.
“You know, I’m never really satisfied, but I am happy to put up the five fastest times in the world here,” said Phelps, who also won the 100m and 200m butterfly and the 200m freestyle at the Indy meet.
“I feel like I’m in better shape, I’m more confident now,” Phelps said. “One of my teammates even said I look happier in the pool, and I think that part has changed since Austin.”
Although he didn’t qualify for the final in the 100m free, Lochte did grab one victory on Saturday, in the 200m backstroke.
But Lochte admitted his swims in three back-to-back events - the 200m medley, the consolation final of the 100m free and the final of the 200m back - made for a tough night.
“I’m seeing spots right now,” Lochte said. “That was probably the hardest triple I’ve ever done in my life. My legs are still kind of shaking from it.”
Lochte won the backstroke in 1:57.63 - from lane eight.
“I guess out there in lane eight, the other swimmers didn’t see me and I didn’t want to hold anything back. Being not shaved and with no suit, I’m really pleased.”
Canadian Erica Morningstar won the women’s 200m individual medley in a world-leading 2:12.59.
Tunisian Olympian Oussama Mellouli won the men’s 1500m free in 15:04.16, adding the title to his victories in the 400m individual medley and 400m free.
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