Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte: Rivalry in bloom or changing of the guard?

Entering this week’s world swimming championships in Shanghai, Ryan Lochte — not Olympic golden boy Michael Phelps — has been in peak form.

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Ryan Lochte, left, of the U.S. leads compatriot Michael Phelps on the way to winning the men's 200 meter Individual Medley final at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Shanghai, July 28, 2011.

Michael Sohn / AP

Ryan Lochte, right, of the U.S. is congratulated by Michael Phelps after winning the men's 200 meter Individual Medley final with a world record of 1 minute 54 seconds at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Shanghai, July 28. Phelps finished second.

Mark Baker / AP

U.S. Ryan Lochte, bottom, is lifted by teammate Michael Phelps as Richard Berens and Peter Vanderkaay, right, look on after they won the men's 4x200 meter Freestyle Relay final at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Shanghai, July 29, 2011.

Mark Baker / AP

The U.S. men's 4x200 meter Freestyle Relay team from left, Ryan Lochte, Richard Berens, Michael Phelps and Peter Vanderkaay show their gold medals at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Shanghai, July 29, 2011.

Gero Breloer / AP

Michael Phelps competes in the 100-meter butterfly during the Santa Clara International Grand Prix in June 2011. Phelps won eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics, but hasn’t been as dominant recently.

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Ryan Lochte competes to win the gold medal in the men's 200-meter backstroke during the FINA World Swimming Championships in Dubai in December 2010. Lochte has emerged as perhaps the best swimmer in the world.

Marwan Naamani / AFP/Getty Images

Michael Phelps, center, and Ricky Berens cheer for teammate Ryan Lochte in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay at the 2009 FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome. The U.S. won gold.

Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

The U.S. team of Ryan Lochte, David Walters, Ricky Berens and Michael Phelps receive their gold medals for the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay at the 2009 FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome.

Martin Bureau / AFP/Getty Images

The U.S. relay team of Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps, David Walters and Ricky Berens celebrate after receiving their gold medals for winning the 4x200-meter freestyle relay at the 2009 FINA world swimming championships in Rome.

Filippo Monteforte / AFP/Getty Images

Michael Phelps swims to the gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. In the background is Ryan Lochte, who won bronze.

Mark J. Terrill / AP

Ryan Lochte congratulates Michael Phelps on his victory in the 200-meter individual medley at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Phelps won in a world record time of 1.54.23 and took home a total of eight gold medals.

Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images

Michael Phelps competes against Ryan Lochte in the final of the 400-meter individual medley during the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in June 2008. Phelps won and set a world record of 4:05.25.

Al Bello / Getty Images

Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps battle each other during the final of the 200-meter individual medley during the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in June 2008. Phelps won and set a world record of 1:54.80 while Lochte finished second.

Donald Miralle / Getty Images

Ricky Berens, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps celebrate finishing first in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Nick Laham / Getty Images

Michael Phelps, center, and Ryan Lochte, right, have fun with students during their visit to a special education school in Beijing in April 2007. U.S. swimmers were on a goodwill trip to China to promote the sport of swimming and the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Cancan Chu / Getty Images

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