In a battle of wills, Petra Rossner was able to overcome a series of attacks from World Cup leader Mirjam Melchers Saturday and overtake her in the overall standings at the GP de Plouay in France. And at the finish line, it was fellow German, Regina Schleicher just edging out Rossner for the win. Rossner finished second in front of Susanne Lunjskog, hot off her second place finish in the Grand Boucle. Melchers was fourth.

The seventh stop in the nine race series was held on a circuit course around the quaint town of Plouay. The field raced eight, 14 kilometer laps for a total of 113 kilometers. With the majority of the field still recovering from the Grand Boucle which finished only six days ago, Melchers and her Farm Frites team had ample opportunity to shake Rossner loose. Melchers began the day with a lead of 14 points over the Saturn rider. Rossner and Melchers have already exchanged the jersey two times along the way to the final round in Rotterdam on September 15.

With the World Cup overall so close, many teams were satisfied to wait it out as Saturn and Farm Frites battled it out, looking for an opportunity to capitalize. About half way through the race, a group went away with Melchers in it. Rossner and her Saturn team were left to bring it back, which they eventually did with Ina Teutenberg, Catherine Marsal, Kimberly Bruckner and Judith Arndt fighting fiercely to bring Rossner back onto terms with Melchers. The final time up the last climb before the finish, Rossner arrived at the top in the front group of six, but without any of her Saturn teammates.

After covering two attacks, Rossner was unable to respond as Melchers gained a gap and flew away up the road. While watching the World Cup Lead move away from her, Rossner radioed to Arndt, in the group behind her. In an unbelievable show of strength, Arndt was able to clear the chase group, bridge to Rossner and in four kilometers bring Rossner back to the front group. Catching the group with only 500 meters remaining, Arndt delivered Rossner with just enough time to sprint.

Melchers received 27 points for her fourth place finish, with Rossner taking 50. Rossner now leads the series by nine points. The eighth World Cup round is in Switzerland on September 9.