Remembering Melissa Hoskins, more than just the wife of Rohan Dennis: "The highlight was just having her around"

The tragic news of the death of Melissa Hoskins has rocked the cycling world over the past couple of days. More than just the wife of Rohan Dennis, Hoskins was an extremely talented cyclist in her own right.

"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," Marne Fechner, CEO of AusCycling has paid tribute in a statement released to the press following news of Hoskins death. "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."

An Australian track cycling star, Hoskins competed at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games and although she missed out on the medals at both games, she did manage to claim a World Championship team pursuit title in 2015.

"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," said Fechner. "Deepest sympathies to Melissa’s family, friends, and former teammates."

Hoskins married Rohan Dennis in 2018 with the pair having two kids together. Although the circumstances surrounding Hoskins death are still quite murky at the time of writing, Dennis has been arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

My thoughts are with Melissa Hoskins, her kids, family and friends. #RIP pic.twitter.com/dhcOflRFg8

— Matthew Keenan (@mwkeenan) December 31, 2023