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Mirjam Melchers

Mirjam Melchers
Mirjam Melchers Pijnacker 2007.jpg
Melchers in 2007
Personal information
Full name Maria Wilhelmina Johanna Melchers-Van Poppel
Born (1975-09-26) September 26, 1975 (age 41)
Arnhem, the Netherlands
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 59 kg (130 lb)
Team information
Current team Retired
Discipline Road
Role Rider
Rider type Allround
Professional team(s)
1998–2002 Rabobank
2001–2001 Acca Due O-Lorena Camicie
2004–2004 Farm Frites-Hartoli
2005–2009 Buitenpoort-Flexpoint Team
2010 Cervélo TestTeam
Major wins
Primavera Rosa World Cup (2002)
Grande Boucle, 3 stages
Holland Ladies Tour (2000, 2004)
Giro dell Alto Adige (2001)
Ronde van Vlaanderen (2005,2006)
Ster van Walcheren (2003)
National Champion (2000)
Castilla y Leon (2003)

Maria Wilhelmina Johanna "Mirjam" Melchers-Van Poppel (born September 26, 1975 in Arnhem, Gelderland) is a female former racing cyclist from the Netherlands, married to former sprinter Jean-Paul van Poppel. She was one of the leading cyclists in the world, having held the UCI number one ranking as well as winning highly rated races. She was a one-day specialist but has managed smaller stage races.

In 2003, she won the GP Feminas Castilla y Leon round of the World Cup and finished third overall in the series behind Nicole Cooke and German sprinter Regina Schleicher. Melchers also finished first in the Damesronde van Drenthe and the Emakumeen Bira, before bringing her season to a close with a silver medal at the world championship road race in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

On September 7, 2006 Melchers crashed during the third stage of the Euregio Tour. She broke her pelvis, a hip and her jaw.

Note: Beginning in 1997, the Union Cycliste Internationale awarded points to riders based on performances in races. Races were classified in categories. Although the system has evolved, major stage races are generally category 1 (strongest) and category 2. In the listings below, these categories, where known, are in parentheses. GC stands for General classification.


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