Former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis has reached a plea deal with prosecutors in connection to the tragic death of his wife, fellow Australian Olympian Melissa Hoskins. The 34-year-old Dennis appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to a charge that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
The incident occurred when Hoskins, 32, was struck by Dennis’s vehicle in front of their home in Medindie, Adelaide, on Dec. 30, 2023. Despite efforts to save her, she tragically passed away at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Dennis was initially facing charges of dangerous driving causing death and an aggravated charge of driving without due care. However, a plea agreement was reached, and the original charges were dropped in favor of a lesser charge of creating a likelihood of harm.
The couple, who got engaged in 2017 and married in 2018, had two children together. Dennis, who retired from professional cycling at the end of the 2023 season, is set to be sentenced on Jan. 24 in the District Court.
Hoskins was a talented athlete who competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in the team pursuit on the track. She was part of the squad that clinched the 2015 world title in the event. On the other hand, Dennis had a successful cycling career, winning two world titles in the road time trial and earning silver in the team pursuit at the London Olympics and bronze in the road time trial at the Tokyo Olympics. He also made history by wearing the yellow jersey as the race leader at the Tour de France after winning the opening time trial in 2015.
The tragic incident has undoubtedly shaken the cycling community and beyond, as both Dennis and Hoskins were well-respected figures in the sport. The upcoming sentencing will bring closure to this heartbreaking chapter in their lives.
