‘Gear switch’ propels Phelps to 100m freestyle win

ARIZONA — Michael Phelps felt something coming off the wall in the 100m freestyle — a sensation he had not experienced since resuming training four months ago.

It was as though a switch flipped in the 18-time Olympic gold medallist. He zoomed off the wall in Lane 7, rallying from last to win in 49.72 seconds on Saturday night at the Arena Pro Swim Series, in his comeback from a six-month suspension.

“As soon as I was under water, I just started kicking and (in) one of the kicks, I just felt something different that I hadn’t felt before,” Phelps said. “I don’t know if that was the switching gear in knowing how to race again or what. I haven’t felt that switch in anything.”

Ryan Lochte came in as the fastest qualifier and finished second with 49.77 seconds, while fellow Olympian Conor Dwyer took third in 50.02.

The trio returned for the 100m free about 25 minutes after competing in the 200m individual medley.

Lochte led all the way in winning that race in 1:58.70. Phelps trailed Lochte after the opening 50m, then dropped back to third and finished there in 2:00.01. Dwyer was second at 1:59.04.

“It’s feels like old times,” Lochte said about resuming his rivalry with Phelps, who handled quick turnarounds easily during his historic run to eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics.

The 29-year-old had some doubts this time, having not competed since last August. “I don’t know if having a tight turnaround like that is better for me,’’ he said. “I always have, in the past, kind of seemed to do better in situations like that.”

Phelps was suspended by USA Swimming after his second drunk-driving arrest last fall. He won the 100m butterfly, finished third in the 200m individual medley (IM) and did not make the final in the 400m free during the four-day meet.

“I was pleased with the IM because he kind of showed a little spark there, which he hadn’t yet at this meet,’’ his coach Bob Bowman said. “These times are very good to start from. As we go along, we can compare off of this.”

Lochte is tuning up for the world championships in Russia in August. “My times aren’t spectacular, but I know my effort and overall attitude toward swimming are perfect,” he said after the preliminaries. “I’m happy where I am right now and, hopefully, I get better and better.”

Phelps has been banned from the world championships as part of his punishment by the sport’s US governing body.

He is planning to compete in Charlotte next month and probably Santa Clara, California, in June before the US nationals in August, which will be held at the same time as the world championships. AP