Rohan Dennis returns home on bail after charges over world champion cyclist wife’s death

The family of world champion cyclist Melissa Hoskins has described their ‘utter devastation’ after she was fatally struck by a car allegedly driven by her husband Rohan Dennis.

Ex-Olympic and world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis, who has been charged over wife Melissa Hoskins’ death, leaves his Adelaide house on Tuesday. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The family of Melissa Hoskins has vowed to ensure her two children “grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone” after the ex-world champion cyclist was fatally struck by a car allegedly driven by her husband Rohan Dennis in Adelaide on Saturday.

Dennis, 33, has been released on bail after being charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life. He was seen on Tuesday in the backyard of the family home, speaking on a mobile phone.

Melissa Hoskins at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in France in 2015. Picture: AFP

South Australian police allege Dennis was behind the wheel of a utility vehicle that hit Hoskins, 32, near their home in the inner northern suburb of Medindie.

She was taken to hospital but died hours later.

Dennis will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.

Speaking on behalf of Hoskins’ family, her father Peter said they had lost “a freewheeling spirit” and been overwhelmed by the outpouring of sadness and support from fellow cyclists and others around Australia and the world. “Myself, Amanda, Jess and families are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened,” the statement released through AusCycling read.

“Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.

“She was the rock of their life and ours and we need to honour her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched.”

Dennis and Hoskins.

The family announced Hoskins’ funeral will be in her hometown of Perth, with a memorial service in Adelaide after the Tour Down Under finishes on January 21, before requesting privacy for them and the children.

Dennis, Hoskins and the children had only moved into the Medindie home just over a fortnight ago, and both had retired from professional cycling. Hoskins was a decorated cyclist both on the road and in the velodrome. She was a two-time Olympian in 2012 and 2016 and won gold in the women’s team pursuit at the 2015 World Championships. She retired in 2017 but maintained deep connections with the Australian cycling community.

Dennis retired from professional cycling last year after a 16-year career. He won Olympic medals in 2012 and 2020, along with six world championship gold medals in road and track cycling.

Cycling and sports bodies including the Australian Olympic Committee paid tribute to Hoskins’ enormous contribution to her chosen sport.

“The AOC has expressed the utmost sadness at the loss of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins after the tragic events in Adelaide,” it posted on social media platform X. “Our condolences go to Melissa’s family, friends and the cycling community at this extremely difficult time.”

Additional reporting: NCA Newswire