Melchers queen of Flanders

Mirjam Melchers (Buitenpoort-Flexpoint)

Mirjam Melchers (Buitenpoort-Flexpoint) (Image credit: Jeff Jones, Bikeradar.com)

The second women's Ronde van Vlaanderen crowned a superb winner in Mirjam Melchers (Buitenpoort-Flexpoint), who rode with her teammate Susanne Ljungskog in the final 15 km to take a huge victory. The Dutchwoman was the strongest of the pair, after having attacked the bunch with 5 km to go to Geraardsbergen. She was joined by Ljungskog just over the top of the climb, and they could not be hauled back.