Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps still has the number ".
Phelps, however, was ready to go to another striking number: eight gold medals at the Olympics in London.
Lochte won his final confrontation with the Olympic winner ever, beating Phelps for the first time in the 400 meters individual mix the night of the U.S. swimming trials on Monday.
By taking first place in the Olympic team, Lochte Phelps extended his domains back to the world championships last year in Florida 27 years old, has won five gold medals and no to run two races against Phelps.
"The first race is always the hardest," said Lochte. "I take a deep breath, relax and everything that happens, happens."
Phelps started strong in the butterfly leg, the best he could, but Lochte took the lead when it passed the frog. He built a lead of nearly half the length of the body and kept Phelps in the freestyle final, cruising to the wall with an extended arm to post a time of 4 minutes, 6/7 seconds.
She got a kiss from his father, Steve, as he left the bridge and a standing ovation from the crowd of 11,000 - including a blog from behind the group that received "Ryan" signs and giant cardboard cut out of his face.
Phelps said the Olympic place second in 4:07.89, establishing himself for another program of eight events in London - who insisted that not do it again after the Beijing Games. "I felt very happy," said Phelps. "He told me if I was 04:07, I would be happy."
Tyler Clary, who won the 2011 worlds second, or even be able to swim the event in London. He faded to third in 4:09.92 and was so upset that no one bothered to go through the mixed zone.
Phelps plans to retire after the Olympics and is clearly eager to finish his career with another dazzling performance. Has already won 14 gold medals, more than any other athlete.
The also swim the 400 IM Phelps sample recovered attention and dedication that disappeared after the 2008 Olympics. In these games, won their second consecutive gold medal in the grueling race, and then insisted that he has done.
In recent months, however, has quietly put the case back in his repertoire - and now he is swimming back to London.
As you progress in your studies, Phelps will be favorites to claim a large place in the U.S. Olympic team in four individual events: the 100 and 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 200 free.
If nothing in the three relays Americans, as expected, in addition to eight - the number of gold medals in 2008 has captured the iconic Olympic record to eclipse Mark Spitz.
"Now you know generally where it is and we feel very good about it," said Phelps coach, Bob Bowman. "This is the catalyst for everything else. When it goes well, everything else is fine."
A replay of Beijing? Maybe, though it will be much harder to win eight events in London.
Lochte Standing in the way this time.
"Obviously, competition is good enough," said Bowman. "Has just launched our (rear)."
Lochte is determined to repeat - even exceed - brilliant performance last year in Shanghai, where he spent more important Phelps as a swimmer in the world.
He continues saying that "this is my time", and its first event in Omaha show is still the man to beat.
"I am quite willing to break in London," said Lochte, who heads to third Olympics.
This will be the No. 4 for Phelps, who became the first American male swimmer to qualify for a fourth Olympic team. Not much room to improve further before it reaches London, according to Bowman.
"His speed was terrible," said the coach. "This is 2 seconds there. Leg of the frog should be better. There are a number of things can work."
In addition, with a great motivation to go faster because the guy who is hunting. Phelps is definitely tired of losing to Lochte, who now has the advantage in the 400 after defeating his rival in the 200 IM and 200 free in 2011 worlds.
Before Monday, Lochte Phelps was beaten nine times in a row in the race as a long-relief dating from 2002.
"We knew (losing) was a real possibility in this event," said Bowman. "I do not think it was wishful thinking. He knows what is in the field. He knows he can improve."
In other late in the opening night of the race, Peter Vanderkaay became three times Olympian, winning the 400 free, while the 19-year-old Elizabeth Beisel won his second trip to the Olympics live combined in the individual 400 meters.
Vanderkaay won with a time of 3:47.67, while the last load of Conor Dwyer opted for second place on the Olympic team in 3:47.83. "I just try to remove it from my head down and get my hand on the touch screen," said Vanderkaay. "Whether Conor and I were able to do it and punched our tickets" for London.
Beisel won the event easily in 4:31.74, more than 2 seconds ahead of Caitlin Leverenz.
"This is definitely a big confidence boost," said the winner. "Before the race, I was a mess. I was so nervous. I am so happy that everything is over and everything went well. We can not complain."
Dana Vollmer, 2004 Summer Olympics, who could not qualify for the Olympic team four years ago, he set a U.S. record in the 100 butterfly semifinals. The world champion set a blistering time of 56.42 aboard the brand that was founded a year ago (56.47).
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