Former Cycling World Champ Dennis Charged After Olympian Wife Hoskins Struck, Killed By Vehicle

Former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis was reportedly charged with the death of his wife, Olympic rider Melissa Hoskins, who died after being hit by a vehicle while riding in Adelaide.

According to Australian media, Dennis was charged with causing death by hazardous driving, endangering life, and driving without due care. According to reports, he has been released on bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.

Hoskins, 32, represented Australia in the London and Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Former Cycling World Champ Dennis Charged After Olympian Wife Hoskins Struck, Killed By Vehicle

According to South Adelaide Police, emergency services were called to an address in Medindie, an Adelaide suburb, about 8 p.m. Saturday after allegations that a woman had been struck by a vehicle.

The woman, later named Hoskins, received critical injuries and died after being brought to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, according to police.

Hoskins raced in the team pursuit at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and was part of the team that won the world title in 2015.

“Melissa described her team pursuit gold medal at the 2015 world championships as the highlight of her career, but for the rest of us, the highlight was just having her around,” AusCyling CEO Marne Fechner said in a statement.

“Although she retired in 2017, her presence as an alumnus of the sport has been felt and appreciated by many in the cycling and riding community.”

Hoskins also spent several years on the road with the Australian team GreenEDGE.

Dennis, 33, won two world titles in the road time trial, silver in the team pursuit and bronze in the road time trial at the London Olympics.

By winning the first time trial of the Tour de France in 2015, he became the seventh Australian to wear the yellow jersey as race leader, setting a race record for his average speed.

Dennis, who retired from competitive cycling last year, was awarded Australian Cyclist of the Year in 2015 and 2018, and he won the Tour Down Under in Adelaide in 2015. The Dennis family moved to Adelaide from Europe after his retirement and marriage in 2018.

Hoskins and Dennis were slated to participate in an event at the Tour Down Under in Adelaide this month.

Former Cycling World Champ Dennis Charged After Olympian Wife Hoskins Struck, Killed By Vehicle

“The news of Melissa Hoskins’ death has devastated us.” “It’s a tragic situation that has resulted in the death of a young mother and champion cyclist,” organizers stated in a statement. “Given the circumstances, Rohan Dennis will no longer be participating.”

Rohan Dennis is an Australian professional road racing cyclist who has achieved success in individual time trials. He has won multiple world championships and has also achieved success in stage races such as the Tour de France.

Dennis is known for his exceptional time trial abilities and has earned a reputation as one of the top time trial specialists in the world of cycling.

SOURCE – (CBC)