World champion cyclist Melissa Hoskins was seen in an Instagram post shared by her husband just days before he allegedly struck his Olympian wife with his ute.
Ms Hoskins’ husband and former star cyclist, Rohan Dennis, 33, shared the social media post showing himself smiling alongside Ms Hoskins, 32, and their two children.
‘Merry Christmas from our family to yours,’ the caption reads.
Ms Hoskins was allegedly struck by a vehicle in Adelaide’s inner-north on Sunday, December 31. She was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital suffering serious injuries, and died hours later.
South Australian Police arrested Mr Dennis, who was allegedly behind the wheel of a ute that hit the mother of two.
Mr Dennis has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.
He was released on bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court again in March.
News Corp reports police will allege Ms Hoskins jumped onto the car bonnet and grabbed at a door handle before the vehicle was driven and she fell to the ground.
It is then alleged she may have been dragged along by the vehicle.
A pair of teenage neighbours tried to give first aid before paramedics arrived.
A host of sporting organisations and fellow cyclists have paid tribute following Ms Hoskins’ tragic death.
Among them is the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), who 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.”
Marne Fechner, chief executive of AusCycling, the national governing body for the sport in Australia, labelled Ms Hoskins’ death as a “tragic incident”.
“Melissa, a mother, daughter, and wife, was also a champion cyclist who thrilled and inspired us with her exquisite skills on the track and road,” Ms Fechner said in a statement.
“Melissa began her competitive cycling career at just 16, and by the time she retired at the age of 25 she had shown the world that she was an athlete of rare prowess.
“Melissa described her team Pursuit Gold Medal at the 2015 UCI Track Cycling World Championships as the highlight of her career, but for the rest of us, the highlight was just having her around.”
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”
Ms Hoskins’ former team, GreenEDGE, which has since rebranded to Jayco-AlUla similarly expressed its grief at the news.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends and the whole cycling community at this deeply saddening time,” a statement from the team said.
“She will never be forgotten.”
Originally hailing from Perth, Ms Hoskins married Mr Dennis in 2018. The couple have two children.
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 2013 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.
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