Ian Thorpe is relishing the chance to take on Dutch rival Pieter van den Hoogenband in the Fina Swimming World Cup in Melbourne in December.

Van den Hoogenband is the 100m world record holder and Olympic 200m freestyle champion.

And he was the last man to beat Thorpe over 200m freestyle, on his way to taking gold at the 2000 Olympics.

Thorpe is the reigning world champion and world record holder for the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle.

European stars

"The one thing I'd really like to do is do more sprinting in my preparations, racing against swimmers who are a whole lot better than me," said Thorpe.

Van den Hoogenband clearly fits the bill over the short distances, and he leads a strong European line-up at December's competition.

Olympic and world 200m individual medley champion Italian Massimiliano Rosolino will also be in action.

And Swedish world short-course champions Therese Alshammar and Emma Igelstrom and Polish butterfly specialist Otylia Jedrzejczak are also heading Down Under.

The Queensland Academy of Sport team will be led by 1,500m freestyle king Grant Hackett.

He will be joined by fellow Olympic and world championship swimmers Geoff Huegill, Ashley Callus and Leisel Jones.

The fifth leg of the Swimming World Cup will be held in Melbourne from 6-8 December.