Career
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. 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.