Cycling world in shock
Champ’s arrest after death of wife is big news globally
The arrest of former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis following the death of his wife Melissa Hoskins has been felt across the globe with international media outlets quick to react.
Retired professional cyclist and mother-of-two Melissa Hoskins was allegedly hit by a grey ute on Avenel Gardens Rd in the Adelaide suburb of Medindie, and died from her injuries in hospital.
Just after 8pm on Saturday, emergency services were called to the scene, after wit
We send our thoughts to those who love her ... and were lucky enough to ride with her during an all too short life
CPA Women
nesses reported a woman was hit by a car. When paramedics arrived, 32-year-old Ms Hoskins was found with serious injuries and rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Detectives and Major Crash officers investigated the scene and arrested 33-year-old Mr Dennis, charging him with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.
The incident drew attention from outlets across the world from Spain to the US.
The worldwide female cycling association, CPA Women, posted on Twitter that it was “shocked” by Ms Hoskins’ death.
“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,” CPA Women posted to Twitter. “We will miss you Melissa.”
The BBC reported the arrest of Rohan Dennis “on allegations he hit his wife … with his car” while Spanish media outlet Marca wrote that the cycling world was “shocked by the arrest of Rohan Dennis”.
Ms Hoskins participated in two Olympics – London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 – and on New Year’s Eve the Games website paid tribute to her.
“Most of Hoskins’ triumphs came in the velodrome and she helped Australia claim the team pursuit world title in 2015 in France,” a statement on the Olympics website read.
It went on to detail that Ms Hoskins married Mr Dennis following “her retirement from the saddle” in 2017.
The Washington Post and Toronto Sun also reported on the incident, with The Sun in the UK covering the “cycling horror”.