Mirjam Melchers Cyclist
Maria Wilhelmina Johanna 'Mirjam' Melchers-Van Poppel is a female racing cyclist from the Netherlands, married to former sprinter Jean-Paul van Poppel. She is one of the leading cyclists in the world, having held the UCI number one ranking as well as winning highly-rated races. She is a one day specialist but has managed smaller stage races. In year 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.