Melanie R. Cline (born June 29, 1975) is an American former amateur "Old/Mid School" Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racer whose prime competitive years were from 1982–2004 and 2009 to the present.
Born in Westland, Michigan, she was one of the first generation of female BMX racers to become well known after the 1980–1986 era dominated by Debbie Kalsow, Kathy Schachel, Gaby Bayhi and Cheri Elliott. Melanie Cline could more than hold her own against the boys, often racing in the "Open" class at nationals in which boys and girls raced in the same age bracket—9- and 10-year-olds and 11- and 12-year-olds for example—compete as opposed to the girls only division. She regularly made those Open mains and even won many of them. She won five such Opens at nationals in 1987 in the 11- and 12-year-old class. Her nicknames "Swell Mel" or just "Mel" are obvious plays on her first name Melanie. She was also known as "Speed Queen". Melanie went on to win 4 World Championships as well as 16 National Championships during her racing career, the most of any one person at that time. She stopped competing in 2003 after conceiving her first son shortly after the NBL Grand Nationals.
In late 2009, Melanie returned to racing with her five-year-old son joining her. She and her son have quickly become two riders to watch out for during the 2010 NBL season.
Racing career milestones
Note: Professional first are on the national level unless otherwise indicated.
*In the UCI Junior women are ages 15 to 16 years of age, regardless if they are professional or not in another organization. Senior Women are from 17 years old and above, again regardless if they are professional or not in another sanctioning body.
Career factory and major bike shop sponsors
Note: This listing only denotes the racer's primary sponsors. At any given time a racer could have numerous ever changing co-sponsors. Primary sponsorships can be verified by BMX press coverage and sponsor's advertisements at the time in question. When possible exact dates are given.
Amateur/Junior Women
Reggie's Schwinn BMX: January 1983 – November 1983. Kam Marketing/Champion Racing Ptoducts: November 1983 – December 1985. Reggie's Schwinn BMX: January 1986-Late 1986 Hardee's: Late October 1986 – December 1987 Cyclecraft: December 1987 – 1990 DK (Dad and Kids) Bicycle Company: 1990–1991 Revcore: 1991 – November 1992 Canondale: 1995 Ross: 1995–1996. She would turn pro with this sponsor. The NBL reintroduced the girl's pro class in 1995.
Professional/Elite Women
Ross: 1995–1996
Profile: 1997
Career bicycle motocross titles
Note: Listed are District, State/Provincial/Department, Regional, National, and International titles in italics. Only sanctioning bodies that existed during the racer's career(s) are listed. Depending on point totals of individual racers, winners of Grand Nationals do not necessarily win National titles. Series and one off Championships are also listed in block.
Amateur/Junior Women
National Bicycle League (NBL) 1984 8–9 Girls Grandnational Champion 1984 8–9 Girls National No.1 1985 10 Girls Grandnational Champion 1985 10 Girls National No.1 1986 11 Girls Grandnational Champion 1986 11 Girls National No.1 1987 12 Girls Grandnational Champion 1987 12 Girls National No.1 1988 13 Girls Grandnational Champion 1988 13 Girls National No.1 1989 14 Girls Grandnational Champion 1989 14 Girls National No.1 1990 15 Girls Grandnational Champion 1990 15 Girls National No.1 1991 16 & Over Girls Grandnational Champion 1991 16 & Over Girls National No.1 1991 16 & Over Girls Cruiser Grandnational Champion. 2009 30–34 Women's Cruiser Grandnational Champion 2010 35–39 Women's Cruiser Grandnational Champion 2010 35–39 Women's Cruiser National No.1
American Bicycle Association (ABA) 1983 7–8 Girls Grandnational Champion 1984 Michigan District #1 (Mich-1) No.1 Girl 1985 10 Girls "Race of Champions" Champion 1985 10 Girls Grandnational Champion 1985 10 Girls National No.1* 1986 District Mich-1 No.1 Girl 1986 11 Girls "Race of Champions" Champion 1986 11 Girls Grandnational Champion 1988 13 Girls Grandnational Champion 1989 14 Girls Grandnational Champion United States Bicycle Motocross Association (USBA) 1984 National No.3 Girl
*Beginning in the 1985 season the ABA made it possible to earn an amateur national no.1 plate in the age group of the racer, similar to NBL practice. However, the ABA still had an overall National No.1 Girl. Cheri Elliott was the overall National Girls No.1 for 1985.