A former world cycling champion is facing up to seven years in prison after admitting a charge in relation to a car crash that killed his wife – fellow Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins.
Rohan Dennis was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving after Hoskins was hit by a car outside their home in the suburb of Medindie in Adelaide, Australia, on 30 December 2023.
The retired cyclist was also charged with driving without due care and endangering life.
The 34-year-old appeared in court on Tuesday and admitted the lesser aggravated charge of creating likelihood of harm.
Jane Abbey KC said: “There was no intention of Mr Dennis to harm his wife and this charge does not charge him with responsibility for her death.”
Dennis celebrates with his medal on the podium after winning the individual time trial event at the world championships in 2018
Dennis, from Adelaide, will be sentenced at a later date.
It carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
Hoskins, 32, originally from Kalamunda in western Australia, was taken to the Royal Adelaide hospital with serious injuries after the crash but died overnight.
She had married Dennis in 2018 and they had two children.
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Melissa Hoskins at the Olympic Velodrome in London in 2012
Hoskins was a retired track and road racing cyclist who was a member of the pursuit team that finished fourth at the 2012 Olympics in London.
She was also part of the pursuit team which finished fifth at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Dennis, who retired from professional cycling in 2023, won stages at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana.
He also claimed world championship titles on the road and track and was part of the Australian team that won silver in the team pursuit at the 2012 Olympics.
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