Rock beats Michael Phelps at Duel in the Pool

By George Scott, Sportsbeat, in Manchester

HOME favourite Michael Rock claimed the biggest scalp of his career, beating 14-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps by more than a second at the British Gas Duel in the Pool.

ROCK AND ROLL: Michael Rock claims the biggest scalp of his career and defeats Michael Phelps at the British Gas Duel in the Pool (Getty Images)

The American team won the competition mid-way through the second day but that will mean little to Rock, who finished on top in the 200m butterfly.

Mike Alexandrov was the man to win the event for the Americans when he gained maximum points in the 100m breaststroke but the loudest cheer of the day came when Stockport swimmer Rock raced away from the 14-time Olympic champion.

While Phelps hasn't been an all-conquering force in Manchester, nothing should be taken away from Rock, who finished in 1:51.46 minutes with the American 1.42 seconds behind in second.

And Rock admitted the support from his home crowd might have given him that all-important boost to secure the memorable win.

"I heard a defeaning roar turning with 50m to go and I think that's what pulled me through those last two lengths," said Rock.

"It was a really strange feeling at the end of the race and I honestly didn't know how to react. He's the greatest swimmer of our generation so I didn't expect to get there but everyone at my club in Stockport has been working hard and the success we're having is fantastic.

"All the British swimmers have performed well here and things look to be heading in the right direction for 2012.  However, for now, I'm not going to get too overexcited by this result. Most people are in mid-training at the moment so I'm just going to focus on this season's goal which is the Commonwealth Games."