Ryan Lochte downed Michael Phelps in the men’s 400m medley at the US Olympic swimming trials on Monday in a race that gave a glimpse of the fireworks they could produce at the London Games.
Lochte seized control on the breaststroke leg and held on to beat Phelps for the first time in the punishing four-stroke event.
Lochte won in 4min 7.06sec, while Phelps, the world record-holder and two-time Olympic champion, was second, booking an Olympic berth in 4:07.89.
Tyler Clary, the World Championships silver medallist behind Lochte last year as Phelps opted out of the event, was the odd man out.
He finished third in 4:09.92, but only the top two finishers in each event in the eight-day meeting make the Olympic team.
Phelps became the first male US swimmer to qualify for four Olympics. By qualifying in the 400m medley, he gives himself a chance to become the first male swimmer to win the same event at three straight Games although it’s clear he’ll have his work cut out to beat Lochte.