Tour Down Under race director Stuart O’Grady on how Melissa Hoskins’ tragic death will impact event

The tragic death of Melissa Hoskins is casting a shadow over the upcoming Tour Down Under. But race director Stuart O’Grady hopes it can also help the cycling world deal with her shock death.

A minute’s silence will be held ahead of the first stage of the women’s Tour Down Under for world champion Melissa Hoskins as race director Stuart O’Grady says he hopes the upcoming race can help the Australian and international cycling communities deal with her tragic death.

While Hoskins’ former teammate on the track Annette Edmondson has said she is “sure there will be moments, and it will be tough at times” for the peloton, but was backing the riders to be able to focus on racing.

The tragic death of the dual Olympian and world champion is set to cast a shadow over the Australian summer of cycling.

Her two-time world time trial champion and Olympic medallist husband, Rohan Dennis is currently facing charges over the death.

Hoskins, in a tribute by teammate Amy Cure posted on social media

There is just one week to go until the TDU kicks off, and organisers have revealed how they will honour Hoskins at this year’s race.

A minute’s silence will be held to honour her prior to the first stage of the women’s race in Hahndorf on January 12.

There will also be a minute’s silence for the 32-year-old before the women’s road race at the national championships in Ballarat on Sunday with the potential of a former teammate of the mother-of-two to say some words about her.

O’Grady, who has yet to speak publicly about the tragedy, said Hoskins was “a long-time friend of our event”.

He said he hoped the upcoming TDU would help the cycling community deal with the tragic circumstances.

O’Grady said Hoskins was a “long-time friend of our event”. Picture: Russell Millard

“Obviously it has been a super challenging time for the entire cycling community and having the international peloton, the media, and the fans come to Adelaide at this time, I think it is really important that we get this opportunity to be around each other to help each other through this,” he said.
“It is obviously an incredibly tragic time for everyone involved.

“We are also being very respectful of both families and just doing everything we can to support our own community.”

After the tragic death of his wife, Dennis, who won the TDU in 2015, was dumped from leading a family ride as part of this year’s event.

Edmondson, assistant race director, has led many of the tributes for her teammate in the women’s team pursuit that won the world championship in 2015.

She said it would be tough for riders, with the women’s race to begin on Friday.

“Everyone deals with this in different ways and we encourage people to reach out to others to talk if they need and get professional help if you need because it is a really hard situation for everybody involved,” she said.

“The professional cycling community, they are professionals for a reason so they are flying here to Adelaide for the first WorldTour event of the season.

“I am sure there will be moments, and it will be tough at times, but when the gun goes they are here with a job to do, so I know they will switch on.”

The first batch of international riders will touch down in Adelaide on Saturday morning.

Among them will be French two-time world champion and the TDU’s marquee rider for this year’s edition Julian Alaphilippe.

O’Grady said the international contingent was looking forward to coming to Adelaide.

“It is one of the most favoured events on the WorldTour calendar,” he said.

“As a hometown rider it was always one of my most favourite races but just seeing the faces of the male and female riders when they arrive at the airport they are so happy, the weather is good and the conditions are great.”

Originally published as Tour Down Under race director Stuart O’Grady on how Melissa Hoskins’ tragic death will impact event