Australian media reported Monday that Rohan Dennis, a former world champion cycling, was charged with the death of his wife, Olympic athlete Melissa Hoskins. A vehicle hit Hoskins, a mother of two, in Adelaide. Local media said that Dennis was charged with causing death by risky driving, endangering life, and careless driving. He was reportedly released on bail to appear at the Adelaide Magistrates Court in March. World champion cyclist Rohan Dennis charged with Melissa Hoskins’ death
World champion cyclist Rohan Dennis charged with Melissa Hoskins’ death
Australia sent 32-year-old Hoskins to the London and Rio Olympics. A woman was struck by a vehicle at an address in Medindie, an Adelaide suburb, around 8pm Saturday, according to police. After being brought to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Hoskins died from significant injuries, according to police. Police claimed, “The driver is known to the woman,” without naming him. The worldwide women’s cycling association was “shocked” by Hoskins’ death.
“We send our thoughts to those who love her, starting with her children, and were lucky enough to ride with her during an all too short life,” CPA Women wrote on Twitter. The 2015 world champion team pursuit team included Hoskins, who participated at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. “Melissa called her 2015 world championship team pursuit gold medal the highlight of her career, but for us, it was just having her around,” AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner said Monday.
“Although she retired in 2017, her presence as an alumnus has been felt and appreciated by many in the cycling and riding community,” Fechner said. Hoskins rode road cycling for the Australian team GreenEDGE for years. Extremely sad Dennis, 33, won two road time trial world titles, silver in the team pursuit at the London Olympics, and bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. He won the 2015 Tour de France opening time trial and set a race record for his average speed to become the seventh Australian to lead the race. Dennis, a retired cyclist, was Australian rider of the year in 2015 and 2018 and won the 2015 Tour Down Under in Adelaide.
After his retirement and their 2018 marriage, the Dennis family moved to Adelaide from Europe. Hoskins and Dennis were set to attend a Tour Down Under event in Adelaide this month. Melissa Hoskins’ passing breaks our hearts. Tour Down Under organisers revealed Monday that a young parent and champion cyclist died in a sad situation. Rohan Dennis will not participate due to circumstances. Hoskins’ death comes days before Oscar Pistorius’ parole after a decade in prison for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
