Homegrown Gravel Adventure, Franklin GA - February 22nd 2025
United States | Southeast | Virginia >> Tragedy as Rohan Dennis kills his wife Melissa Hoskins in a Car Accident in Australia

Tragedy as Rohan Dennis kills his wife Melissa Hoskins in a Car Accident in Australia

Former pro cyclist Dennis has been arrested in Australia, in relation to the death of his wife Melissa Hoskins, reports are emerging.

2024-rohan-dennis1

The Australian police have confirmed in a statement that a woman has died. "Following a crash in Medindie last night, we have arrested a man. Just after eight o'clock, emergency services were called after receiving a report of a woman who had been hit by a car." Dennis is said to have hit his wife at high speed with his pickup truck, right outside their own house.

"The 32-year-old woman had serious injuries and was taken to the Adelaide hospital, where she died overnight. 

32-year-old Melissa Hoskins competed in the team pursuit at two Olympics for Australia, winning gold in the same event at the 2015 World Championships. She also competed on the road for Orica-AIS, winning the Tour of Chongming Island in 2012.

33-year-old two-time time trial world champion Dennis, was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life. He was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on March 13.

Dennis ended his professional cycling career last summer, wearing the colors of Jumbo-Visma, having previously ridden for Ineos, BMC and Bahrain Victorious. He became the world champion in time trialing in 2018 and 2019 and won the opening time trial of the Tour de France in Utrecht in 2015, where he also secured the yellow jersey. Additionally, he won two stages in the Vuelta, a stage in the Giro d'Italia, the overall classification of the Tour Down Under in 2015 and several WorldTour-level races.

He finished seventh at the 2013 World Time Trial Championships in Scotland.

Melissa Hoskins' father, Peter, has now also released a statement on behalf of the family, paying an emotional tribute to his daughter: "Myself, Amanda, Jess and families, are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened.

"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."