{{Short description|Dutch cyclist (born 1975)}} {{BLP no footnotes|date=July 2012}} {{Infobox cyclist | name = Mirjam Melchers | image = Mirjam Melchers Pijnacker 2007.jpg | caption = Melchers in 2007 | fullname = Maria Wilhelmina Johanna Melchers-Van Poppel | nickname = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|9|26|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Arnhem]], the Netherlands | height = 1.75 m | weight = 59 kg | currentteam = | discipline = Road | role = Rider | ridertype = Allround | amateuryears1 = | amateurteam1 = | proyears1 = 1998–2002 | proteam1 = Rabobank | proyears2 = 2001–2001 | proteam2 = Acca Due O-Lorena Camicie | proyears3 = 2004–2004 | proteam3 = Farm Frites–Hartoli | proyears4 = 2005–2009 | proteam4 = {{UCI team code|FLX|2009}} | proyears5 = 2010 | proteam5 = [[Cervélo TestTeam (women)|Cervélo TestTeam]] | majorwins = Primavera Rosa World Cup (2002)<br />Grande Boucle, 3 stages<br />Holland Ladies Tour (2000, 2004)<br /> Giro dell Alto Adige (2001)<br />Ronde van Vlaanderen (2005, 2006)<br />[[Ster van Walcheren]] (2003)<br />National Champion (2000)<br />Castilla y Leon (2003) | show-medals = yes | medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry | {{flagu|Netherlands}} }} {{MedalSport | Women's [[road bicycle racing|road cycling]] }} {{MedalCompetition | [[UCI Road World Championships|World Championships]] }} {{MedalSilver | [[2003 UCI Road World Championships|2003]] | Road race }} {{MedalSport | Women's [[cyclo-cross]] }} {{MedalCompetition | [[UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, Women|UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships]] }} {{MedalBronze | [[2005 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships|2005]] | Women elite race }} }}

'''Maria Wilhelmina Johanna "Mirjam" Melchers-Van Poppel''' (born 26 September 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 [[Union Cycliste Internationale|UCI]] number one ranking{{when|date=September 2012}} 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 7 September 2006 Melchers crashed during the third stage of the [[Euregio Tour]]. She broke her [[pelvis]], a [[hip (anatomy)|hip]] and her jaw.

== Major results == {{refbegin}} 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]]. {{refend}}

{{palmares start}}

===Road=== ;1998 :1st [[Omloop der Groene Gemeente]] :1st Stage 4 [[Holland Ladies Tour]] :1st [[Vlijmen]] Criterium

;1999 :1st Stage 5 [[Holland Ladies Tour]] :2nd Overall [[Greenery International]] :National Championship ::2nd Road Race ::2nd Time Trial :2nd [[Ronde van Drenthe]] :3rd [[Flevotour]]

;2000 :1st [[File:Jersey orange.svg|20px]] Overall [[Holland Ladies Tour]] ::1st Stage 3 :1st [[File:MaillotHolanda.PNG|20px]] Road Race, National Road Championships :1st [[Harderwijk]] Road Race :1st [[Haarsteeg]] Criterium :1st [[Geldrop]] Criterium :1st Stage 2 [[Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale]] :2nd Overall [[Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin]] :2nd [[Le Critérium International Féminin De Lachine]] :3rd Overall UCI Road World Cup :3rd Overall [[Thüringen-Rundfahrt der Frauen]] :3rd [[GP de Plouay]] :3rd [[Canberra Women's Classic]] :3rd [[Embrach]] :5th Road Race, [[2000 UCI Road World Championships|UCI Road World Championships]]

;2001 :1st [[File:Jersey yellow.svg|20px]] Overall [[Thüringen-Rundfahrt der Frauen]] ::1st Stages 1 & 2 :1st [[Westerbeek]] Criterium :2nd Overall UCI Road World Cup :2nd [[Primavera Rosa]] :2nd [[Amstel Gold Race (women's race)|Amstel Gold Race]] :2nd [[GP de Plouay]] :2nd [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton City]] Criterium :2nd [[Canberra Women's Classic]] :5th Road Race, [[2001 UCI Road World Championships|UCI Road World Championships]]

;2002 :1st [[Primavera Rosa]] :1st [[Oud-Vossemeer]] Criterium :2nd Overall UCI Road World Cup :2nd Overall [[Holland Ladies Tour]] ::1st Stage 7 :2nd Overall [[Tour de Snowy]] ::1st Stage 1 :2nd [[Amstel Gold Race (women's race)|Amstel Gold Race]] :2nd [[Rotterdam Airport]] Derny :3rd Overall [[Thüringen-Rundfahrt der Frauen]] ::1st Prologue :3rd Road Race, National Road Championships :3rd [[GP Castilla y Leon]] :3rd [[Canberra Women's Classic]] :3rd [[Enkhuizen]] Criterium

;2003 :1st [[File:Jersey white.svg|20px]] Overall [[Emakumeen Euskal Bira]] :1st [[File:Jersey yellow.svg|20px]] Overall [[RaboSter Zeeuwsche Eilanden]] ::1st Stage 1 :1st [[File:Jersey orange.svg|20px]] Overall [[Ronde van Drenthe]] ::1st Stage 2 :1st [[Ronde van het Ronostrand]] :1st [[Oud-Gastel]] :1st [[GP Castilla y Leon]] :1st [[Oud-Vossemeer]] :1st [[Haarsteeg]] :1st GP Montferland :1st Stage 3 (TTT) [[Holland Ladies Tour]] :2nd Overall [[Vuelta Castilla y Leon]] :2nd Road Race, [[2003 UCI Road World Championships|UCI Road World Championships]] :2nd [[Rotterdam Airport]] Derny :2nd [[Lekkerkerk]] :3rd Overall UCI Road World Cup :3rd Time Trial, National Road Championships :3rd [[GP de Plouay]] :3rd Janet Memorial

;2004 :1st [[File:MaillotHolanda.PNG|20px]] Time Trial, National Road Championships :1st [[File:Jersey red.svg|20px]] Overall [[Vuelta Castilla y Leon]] ::1st Stage 3 :1st [[File:Jersey orange.svg|20px]] Overall [[Holland Ladies Tour]] ::1st Stages 1b (TTT) & 2 :1st [[Holland Hills Classic]] :1st [[Luk Challenge]] :1st [[Roosendaal]] Criterium :1st [[Oostvoorne]] Criterium :2nd Overall [[Emakumeen Euskal Bira]] :2nd [[Primavera Rosa]] :2nd [[Ronde van Gelderland]] :2nd [[GP de Plouay]] :2nd [[Made, Netherlands|Made]] Criterium :3rd Overall [[Thüringen-Rundfahrt der Frauen]] :3rd [[GP Castilla y Leon]] :3rd [[Omloop van Borsele]] :6th Road Race, [[2004 Olympic Games|Olympic Games]] :9th Road Race, [[2004 UCI Road World Championships|UCI Road World Championships]]

;2005 :1st [[File:Jersey yellow.svg|20px]] Overall [[RaboSter Zeeuwsche Eilanden]] ::1st Stage 3 :1st [[Tour of Flanders Women]] :1st [[Emakumeen Saria]] :1st Stage 5 [[Giro Donne|Giro d'Italia Femminile]] :1st [[Lekkerkerk]] Criterium :1st [[Boxmeer]] Criterium :1st [[Roosendaal]] Criterium :1st [[Oostvoorne]] Criterium :2nd [[Luk Challenge]] :3rd [[2004 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships|UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships]] :3rd Overall [[Emakumeen Euskal Bira]] :3rd Overall [[Holland Ladies Tour]] ::1st Stage 4b (TTT) :3rd Overall [[Memorial Michela Fanini]] ::1st Prologue :3rd Overall UCI Road World Cup :3rd Time Trial, National Road Championships :3rd [[Coupe du Monde Cycliste Féminine de Montréal]] :3rd [[Sparkassen Giro Bochum]]

;2006 :1st [[Tour of Flanders Women]] :1st Stage 1 (TTT) [[Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin]] :2nd [[2006 Omloop Het Volk (women's race)|Omloop Het Volk]] :3rd [[Ronde van Gelderland]] :3rd [[Oud-Vossemeer]] Criterium

;2007 :1st [[GP Gerrie Knetemann]] :1st Maastricht, Omnium :1st [[Profronde van Pijnacker]] :1st Stage 4b [[Emakumeen Euskal Bira]] :2nd [[Emakumeen Saria]] :2nd Oostvoorne Criterium :3rd Overall [[RaboSter Zeeuwsche Eilanden]] :3rd Time Trial, National Road Championships :3rd [[Chrono Champenois – Trophée Européen]] :3rd [[Harderwijk]] Criterium

;2008 :National Road Championships ::1st [[File:MaillotHolanda.PNG|20px]] Time Trial ::2nd Road Race :1st Stage 2 (TTT) [[Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin]] :1st Prologue [[Giro Donne|Giro d'Italia Femminile]] :3rd [[Berner Rundfahrt]] :5th [[Chrono Champenois – Trophée Européen]]

;2009 :1st [[GP Groenendaal]] :3rd [[Open de Suède Vårgårda]] TTT :3rd [[Omloop van Stadshagen]] :5th Overall [[Ladies Tour of Qatar]] :7th Time Trial, National Road Championships :7th [[2009 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (women's race)|Omloop Het Nieuwsblad]] :9th [[RaboSter Zeeuwsche Eilanden]]

;2010 :7th [[2010 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (women's race)|Omloop Het Nieuwsblad]] :9th [[Heuvelland Classic]] {{palmares end}}

===Cyclo-cross=== {{palmares start}} ;2003 :1st Amersfoort, Cyclo-cross :1st Boxtel, Cyclo-cross :1st Kerstveldrit om d'n Ouwe Brandtoren :2nd Eindhoven, Cyclo-cross

;2004 :1st [[File:MaillotHolanda.PNG|20px]] National Cyclo-cross Championships :1st [[Woerden]], Cyclo-cross :1st [[Kerstveldrit om d'n Ouwe Brandtoren]] :3rd [[Moergestel]], Cyclo-cross :4th [[Kersttrofee]] :7th Trofeo Mamma & Papà Guerciotti

;2005 :1st [[GP Adri van der Poel]] :1st Amersfoort, Cyclo-cross :2nd Bakel, Cyclo-cross :2nd Veldhoven, Cyclo-cross :3rd National Cyclo-cross Championships :3rd [[Vlaamse Druivencross]] :3rd [[Azencross]] :4th [[Nommay]], Cyclo-cross :5th [[Kersttrofee]] :5th [[Hooglede]], Cyclo-cross

;2006 :3rd [[GP Adri van der Poel]] :4th [[2006 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships|UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships]] :4th [[Liévin]], Cyclo-cross

;2007 :1st [[Amersfoort]], Cyclo-cross :2nd [[Gieten]], Cyclo-cross :2nd [[Huijbergen]], Cyclo-cross :2nd [[Azencross]] :3rd [[Eerde]], Cyclo-cross :7th [[Kersttrofee]] :10th [[Duinencross]]

;2008 :1st [[File:MaillotHolanda.PNG|20px]] National Cyclo-cross Championships :1st Amersfoort, Cyclo-cross :6th [[2008 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships|UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships]] :7th [[GP Adri van der Poel]]

;2009 :2nd National Cyclo-cross Championships :8th [[2009 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships|UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships]] {{palmares end}}

==See also== {{Portal|Sports}} * [[List of Dutch Olympic cyclists]]

==References== * {{Cycling Archives|id=5666|name=Mirjam Melchers-van Poppel}} * {{CQ Ranking|gender=w|id=2|name=Mirjam MELCHERS-VAN POPPEL}} * {{ProCyclingStats|id=mirjam-melchers|name=Mirjam Melchers}} * {{SR/Olympics profile|id=me/mirjam-melchers-van-poppel-1|name=Mirjam Melchers-van Poppel}} * {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224150807/http://www.team-flexpoint.nl/ |title=Team Flexpoint website }}

{{Dutch National Road Championships – Women's time trial}} {{Milan–San Remo winners (women)}} {{Tour of Flanders winners (women)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Melchers, Mirjam}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1975 births]] [[Category:Dutch female cyclists]] [[Category:Dutch cyclo-cross cyclists]] [[Category:Cyclists from Arnhem]] [[Category:Cyclists at the 2000 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Cyclists at the 2004 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Cyclists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Olympic cyclists for the Netherlands]] [[Category:Dutch cycling time trial champions]] [[Category:UCI Road World Championships cyclists for the Netherlands]] [[Category:21st-century Dutch sportswomen]] [[Category:20th-century Dutch sportswomen]]