- Australian cycling team honors the late Melissa Hoskins
- Team member Georgia Baker presented matching watches in her memory
- Hoskins’ husband, a cyclist, faces charges in connection to her death
The members of the Australian women’s pursuit cycling team shared their heartfelt tribute to cyclist Melissa Hoskins, who was allegedly killed by her husband, fellow cyclist Rohan Dennis.
Hoskins, 32, represented Australia in the London and Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Her husband, a medalist cyclist, is accused of ending her life by running her over with his vehicle outside their Adelaide residence.
Dennis was arrested in January and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, operating a vehicle without due care, and endangering life.
According to police, Dennis recklessly hit the mother of two with his car in front of their $2.45 million home in Medindie, Adelaide, on December 30. He has yet to plead.
Georgia Baker, a former teammate of Hoskins currently competing in Paris, decided to gift the team matching watches to honor her memory.
Previously, Hoskins had presented one of these watches to Baker as a keepsake during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The team, which includes Baker, Alexandra Manly, Chloe Moran, Maeve Plouffe, and Sophie Edwards, shared a photo on Instagram showcasing them wearing the watches earlier this week.
Members of the Aussie women’s pursuit cycling team have paid tribute to cyclist Melissa Hoskins (left) who died in December 2023. Her cycling champion husband Rohan Dennis (right) has been accused of killing her by running her over outside their Adelaide home
Georgia Baker, who is an ex-teammate of Hoskins and currently competing in Paris, decided to get the team matching watches to honour their friend
‘Georgie presented us with these meaningful watches to commemorate our shared moment in time,’ they stated.
‘This is a way to remember both the team and our shared experiences.’
‘It’s a way to maintain our unity and cherish the memories from this incredible journey.’
‘During Georgia’s inaugural Olympics in 2016, the late Melissa Hoskins blessed her and her teammates with similar watches, which she still cherishes. Georgia desired to return the favor.
‘We are exceptionally grateful.’
AusCycling’s general manager, Jesse Korf, remarked that athletes connected to Melissa will find the upcoming Games particularly emotional.
‘Some riders overlapped with Melissa when she was part of the national squad,’ Korf shared with News Corp.
‘Especially some senior track endurance and sprint riders.’
‘Undoubtedly, this will be an emotional experience for several individuals.’
‘It has been for a long time; there have been moments of silence, memorials, and significant community support.
The team said the watches were a way to remember their teammate after they received the timepieces from cyclist Georgia Baker (pictured)
The Paris Games are sure to be especially emotional for the Australian women’s pursuit cycling team (pictured)
‘That emotion will vary for everyone.’
The couple’s seemingly perfect life unraveled tragically on the evening of December 30, 2023.
Emergency services were called to their luxurious home in Adelaide’s inner-north shortly after 8 pm.
Authorities arrested and charged Mr. Dennis concerning Ms. Hoskins’ death, alleging he hit her around 8 pm while driving a utility vehicle.
Ms. Hoskins sustained critical injuries from the incident and was transported to Royal Adelaide Hospital for care, where she later passed away.
