Australia's Rohan Dennis is going to spend the night in jail. The two-time world time trial champion in 2018 and 2019 was arrested in Adelaide and charged with "manslaughter by reckless driving and endangering the lives of others" after the death of his wife Melissa Hoskins, Australian media reported on Monday (1 January).

Melissa Hoskins, 32, a former Australian cyclist who competed in road time trial and team track pursuit, died in hospital after being struck by a vehicle and suffering "serious injuries" on Saturday night, police said, adding that "the driver is known to the woman", without confirming her name.

According to Australian media, Melissa Hoskins was hit by a pick-up truck driven by 33-year-old Rohan Dennis.

International Association of Professional Women Cyclists 'Shocked'

The Australian, who announced his retirement a year ago and was still under contract with Jumbo-Visma until the end of 2023, has been released on bail and is expected to appear in court in March 2024.

In addition to his two-time world time trial title, Dennis is also a two-time World Team Champion in this exercise (2014 and 2015) and an individual bronze medallist at the 2020 Olympic Games. He also won a stage at the Tour de France in 2015, as well as a stage at the Giro and two at the Vuelta in recent years.

A track specialist in his early days, he also won two world championship titles in the team pursuit in 2010 and 2011, as well as a silver medal in this specialty at the 2012 Olympics.

The International Association of Professional Women Cyclists said it was "shocked" to learn of the death of Melissa Hoskins. "We send our thoughts to those who love her, starting with her children, and who were fortunate enough to ride with her in a life that was too short," CPA Women said on social media.

Hoskins ended her career in 2017 and married Rohan Dennis in 2018 with whom she has two children.

She was part of the Australian team that won the team pursuit event at the Track Cycling World Championships in France in 2015. She also represented Australia at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

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