Melissa Hoskins family breaks silence after Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis granted bail over her death

The family of Melissa Hoskins has paid tribute to the Olympic cyclist and “freewheeling spirit” following her death on Saturday.

In a statement from her father Peter, released through AusCycling, the family said they were “utterly devastated” by Ms Hoskins’ death.

“Myself, Amanda, Jess and families, are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened,” the statement reads.

“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.

“The outpouring of sadness and support has overwhelmed us. In her short life, Melissa has had so many positive touch points in and around the world.

“The funeral will be held in Perth, her hometown, with a memorial service in Adelaide after the Tour Down Under.

“We now need to deal with our grief privately and will be making no further comments. We ask that media please respect our privacy and that of Melissa’s children.”

Police allege Ms Hoskins’ husband Rohan Dennis, 33, fatally struck her with a vehicle on December 30 near their Adelaide home.

Ms Hoskins, 32, was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital suffering serious injuries, and died hours later.

South Australian Police have charged Mr Dennis and allege he was behind the wheel of a ute that hit the mother of two.

He was released on bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court again in March.

The father-of-two was seen speaking on his mobile phone while standing in the backyard of the family home at Medindie on Tuesday morning, as friends told The Adelaide Advertiser the couple had been planning to make some major life changes.

Friends told the Advertiser that Mr Dennis and Ms Hoskins had been considering opening their own vineyard in the Adelaide Hills.

The pair had only recently moved into their $2.45m home in Medindie just a week before Christmas, but were preparing for their post-retirement lives.

Mr Dennis retired last year, after 16 years in the sport.

Police will allege Ms Hoskins had jumped onto the bonnet of the Volkswagen Amarok ute and reached for a door handle before the car was driven away, and she fell to the ground, the Adelaide Advertiser previously reported.

It will be further alleged Hoskins may have been dragged along the road by the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Anna Meares has shared her heartache over the death of her friend, world champion cyclist Melissa Hoskins after she was allegedly struck by a car driven by her husband.

Retired track cyclist, Anna Meares who has also been appointed chef de mission of the Australian Olympic Team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, posted a condolence message on her social media channels.

“I have a very heavy heart,” Ms Meares said in a post to X.

“My thoughts are with their children, family and fellow friends.

“This is a very difficult and tragic time. RIP”

A host of sporting organisations and fellow cyclists also paid tribute following Ms Hoskins’ tragic death.

Among them is the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), which Ms Hoskins represented at the 2012 and 2016 Games.

“The AOC has expressed the utmost sadness at the loss of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins after the tragic events in Adelaide,” it said in a post on X.

“Our condolences go to Melissa’s family, friends and the cycling community at this extremely difficult time.”

Originally hailing from Perth, Ms Hoskins married Mr Dennis in 2018. The couple have two children.

She was a member of the Australian track cycling team pursuit team that finished in fourth place at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Aside from her Olympic achievements, Ms Hoskins won gold in the women’s team pursuit at the 2015 world championships. She retired from professional cycling in 2017.

Mr Dennis was a podium finisher at the 2012 and 2020 Olympics, a two-time world champion and a stage-winner in the 2015 Tour de France.

He only retired from professional cycling at the end of 2023.

Mr Dennis has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.