Anna Meares' heartbreaking move as cycling world grapples with Melissa Dennis news
The Australian cycling community has been left reeling over the devastating development.
Anna Meares has led the tributes to Melissa Dennis after the Aussie cycling community was rocked by the Olympian's devastating death. Dennis, who competed as Melissa Hoskins, died in hospital after she was struck by a car on Saturday night in Adelaide's inner north.
Multiple media outlets have reported that the 33-year-old man arrested by police and charged over Dennis' death is her husband Rohan - himself an Olympic cycling medallist and former world champion who retired from competition in 2023. He is charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life, and was bailed to appear in court in March.
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Dennis, who was 32 and a mother of two, is being remembered as a popular and talented competitor. She represented Australia at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016 in the team pursuit, and was part of the squad that won the same event at the 2015 world championships.
7NEWS can reveal the bombshell arrest of South Australian world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis over a horror crash that has left his wife dead. Mother-of-two Melissa Hoskins was struck down and killed by a ute just metres from the family home at Medindie. Police say her husband… pic.twitter.com/hETdpsoaGu
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) December 31, 2023
That world title made the Aussies a gold medal contender at the Rio Olympics in 2016, but a training crash just days before qualifying ruined their chances. Hoskins was among the cyclists injured in the pile-up and was forced to sit out the rest of the event as the Aussies finished fifth.
Meares, who was on the same track cycling team as Hoskins at the London and Rio Games, wrote on social media: "I have a very heavy heart. My thoughts are with their children, family and fellow friends. This is a very difficult and tragic time."
I have a very heavy heart. My thoughts are with their children, family and fellow friends. This is a very difficult and tragic time. RIP @MelissaMHoskins 💔 pic.twitter.com/aK8il9jePt
— Anna Meares (@AnnaMeares) December 31, 2023
AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner said: "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. 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."
CPA Women, the worldwide association of women cyclists, also paid tribute. They wrote: “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."
Cycling world in disbelief over news about Melissa Dennis
Hoskins also competed for Australian road cycling team GreenEDGE for several years. As for Rohan Dennis, he won two world titles in the road time trial, and also claimed silver in the team pursuit at the London Olympics, as well as bronze in the road time trial at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
He became just the seventh Australian in Tour de France history to wear the yellow jersey as race leader, winning the opening time trial in the 2015 event and setting a race record for his average speed. He was named Australian cyclist of the year in 2015 and 2018, and won the Tour Down Under in 2015 in his home city of Adelaide.
The Dennis family had relocated from Europe to Adelaide after Rohan's retirement from professional cycling. At the time he wrote: “Thank you Melissa Dennis for supporting me throughout my entire professional career, all while raising two of the best kids I could ever ask for."
Rohan had posted a photo of himself, Hoskins and their two children in front of their Christmas tree just six days before her death, writing: “Merry Christmas from our family to yours.”
The AOC has expressed the utmost sadness at the loss of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins after the tragic events in Adelaide.
Our condolences go to Melissa’s family, friends and the cycling community at this extremely difficult time. pic.twitter.com/oh8Z8w2qf8— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) December 31, 2023
My thoughts are with Melissa Hoskins, her kids, family and friends. #RIP pic.twitter.com/dhcOflRFg8
— Matthew Keenan (@mwkeenan) December 31, 2023
We are devastated to learn of the passing of former GreenEDGE Cycling rider Melissa Dennis nee Hoskins.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends and the whole cycling community at this deeply saddening time.
She will never be forgotten.
RIP Mel.
📸 @Nikkij51 pic.twitter.com/8gkvl1yh4D— Team Jayco AlUla (@GreenEDGEteam) December 31, 2023
Shocked by the news of #MelissaHoskins' 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 🖤
We will miss you Melissa 🙏🏼 #RIP #Hoskins #Dennis #RestInPeace #CpaWomen
📸 @uci_wwt pic.twitter.com/z43RAuSHw0— CPA Women (@women_cpa) December 31, 2023
It is with deep sadness and regret that we have learnt of the passing of Melissa Dennis Hoskins. We would like to extend our condolences to her family, friends and acquaintances. We wish them every strength in the face of this great loss.
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) December 31, 2023
with AAP
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