Rohan Dennis not participating in Tour Down Under after fatal collision with his wife, police are investigating possible argument

(January 1st, 09:00 AM) Former cyclist Rohan Dennis has been arrested in Australia for fatally hitting his wife Melissa Hoskins, as reported by multiple media outlets in the country. Dennis retired from professional cycling with Jumbo-Visma last year and is a multiple world time trial champion.

The Australian police confirmed in a statement that a woman had died. "Following a crash in Medindie last night, we have arrested a man. Emergency services were called just after eight o'clock when a report came in of a woman being hit by a car." Dennis is said to have hit his wife with his pickup truck at high speed, in front of their own house.

Dennis arrested for causing fatal accident

The 32-year-old woman had serious injuries and was taken to the Adelaide Hospital, where she died overnight. Following an investigation, a 33-year-old man has been arrested for causing a fatal accident. He is due to appear in court on March 13."

Hoskins, a mother of two, was also a notable professional cyclist. She rode for Orica between 2012 and 2015 and competed in the Olympic Games on the track. The couple married in 2018.

Dennis ended his cycling career last summer with Jumbo-Visma and previously rode for BMC, INEOS, and Bahrain Victorious. He was the world time trial champion in 2018 and 2019 and won the opening time trial of the Tour de France in Utrecht in 2015, where he also took 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. At the 2023 World Time Trial Championships in Scotland, he finished seventh.

Update (January 2, 2024, 09:15 AM): "Wife of Dennis climbed on the hood and was hit, Ex-cyclist will not be present at Tour Down Under"

One day after the tragic accident in Australia, more details have emerged about the circumstances leading to the death of Melissa Hoskins, who was fatally hit by her husband Rohan Dennis. According to Australian media, the couple had an argument, and in a desperate attempt to stop her husband's car, Hoskins reportedly climbed onto the hood, grabbed the door handle, and was dragged for a while. The police are currently investigating the exact events.

The organizers of the Tour Down Under, the Australian WorldTour race starting in two weeks, have announced that Dennis, who is currently on bail but due to appear in court in March, will not be participating in this year's event. "This is an extremely tragic incident where we have lost a young mother and cycling champion. We want to extend our deepest condolences to Hoskins' family, friends, and acquaintances."