World champion cyclist Rohan Dennis pleads guilty to lesser charge over death of his wife

Former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis has negotiated a plea deal with prosecutors over the death of his wife, fellow Australian Olympian Melissa Hoskins.

The 34-year-old Dennis will not be held responsible for Hoskins’ death but has pleaded guilty to a charge that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

Dennis appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday to answer charges of dangerous driving causing death and an aggravated charge of driving without due care.

Dennis was arrested after Hoskins, 32, was struck by his vehicle in front of their home at Medindie in Adelaide’s north on Dec. 30, 2023. Hoskins suffered serious injuries in the crash and died at Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Dennis’ lawyer Jane Abbey told the court that the defense and prosecutors had agreed to drop the original charges and an aggravated charge of creating likelihood of harm would instead be laid.

“What is agreed that will happen today is that there will be a plea to count three — the original charges will be dropped,” she told Magistrate Justin Wickens.

The couple were engaged in 2017 and were married in 2018. They have two children.

Dennis, who pleaded guilty to the charge, was released on continuing bail and committed to the District Court for sentencing on Jan. 24.

Hoskins competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics on the track in the team pursuit and was in the squad that won the 2015 world title in the event.

Dennis, who retired at the end of the 2023 season, won two world titles in the road time trial, as well as silver in the team pursuit at the London Olympics and bronze in the road time trial at the Tokyo Olympics.

He became the seventh Australian to wear the yellow jersey as race leader at the Tour de France by winning the opening time trial in 2015, setting a race record for his average speed.