EXETER'S Liam Tancock admitted his 2010 Commonwealth Games dress rehearsal had been a job well done after going head-to-head with America's finest at the British Gas Duel in the Pool.

In swimming's very first Ryder Cup-styled meet in Manchester, Tancock experienced a solid if unspectacular weekend, coming home third in the 100m backstroke and also swimming a respectable first leg of the 4x100m medley relay.

America comfortably took the honours 185-78 but, after swimming against the likes of US superstars Aaron Peirsol and Michael Phelps, Tancock believes he'll be better for the experience in Delhi.

He may not be racing against the might of America at the Commonwealth Games, but the chance to test himself against the best in Manchester ahead of Delhi next year was a welcome distraction for Tancock.

"The Commonwealths is going to be my main target for 2010, so it's going to be a long cycle," said Tancock. "India is going to put on a great show and I'm really looking forward to it.

"I'll go out there and perform the best I can and that's why events such as the Duel in the Pool are so important in that process.

"I really enjoyed it out in Melbourne at the last Commonwealth Games and I came away with gold and silver, so that was a special time for me.

"I've got to qualify for India but I'm always up for racing the best people and it's all about the process at the moment.

"I like to go fast at the big competitions and, while this is a great meet, the focus is the Commonwealth Games. But these meets will still help me when I'm not ready or tapered because you're still going out there and racing the best people. Sometimes you beat them, sometimes you don't.

"I'm not going to get carried away with this meet, but it's been respectable and I think the European team have done well. Bring it on, I say."

The 24-year-old world 50m backstroke champion picked up one point for his third place finish in the 100m backstroke. He finished in a time of 51.40s but was more than two seconds off American winner Matt Grevers.

In the medley relay, he produced a first-leg swim of 51.46s in a European medley team comprised of Fabio Scozzoli, Michael Rock and Christian Galenda.

"It's been pretty exciting and this is the first time we've hosted a Duel in the Pool-style meet," added Tancock. "We've done a good job and there's been a great crowd cheering for us.

"It was always going to be tough against the Americans and we were always coming second, but we never gave up and always had that grit in our teeth, wanting more.

"I love the support. The crowd's been very good and, to be honest, I don't feel much pressure. I just love it and like to get out there and race."

British Gas and British Swimming. The nation's leading energy supplier, British Gas, is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, supporting the sport at all levels, from paddling pool to podium. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming.