Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis says he never wanted to hurt wife Melissa Hoskins and attacks media’s ‘false narrative’
The Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has lashed out at journalists on social media, saying they created a “false narrative” about him after his wife’s 2023 death.
The Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has lashed out at journalists on social media, saying they created a “false narrative” about him after his wife’s 2023 death.
“The narrative which the media ran with was clear,” the Olympic cyclist wrote on Instagram late on Monday night. “They wanted me to look like the husband who abused his wife.”
In May last year, Dennis was given a 17-month suspended sentence after his car fatally struck his wife, fellow Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, near their suburban Adelaide home.
He pleaded guilty to committing an aggravated act likely to cause harm but was not held criminally responsible for Hoskins’ death.
In March this year, Dennis returned to Instagram by sharing a photo of a black Porsche with the caption: “What an absolute weapon.”
South Australia’s victims’ rights commissioner, Sarah Quick, called the post “deeply offensive”. Dennis later posted a picture of his two children with the caption: “Two absolute weapons.”
The former professional cyclist has been critical of media coverage of his case.
“Didn’t take these rats long,” he said when a journalist contacted him for comment about his social media posts in mid-March.
On Monday, Dennis wrote that he loved Melissa and the last thing he ever wanted was to hurt her.
“Never in my life has any physical aggression crossed my mind in any disagreement with Melissa.
“I have always been against any sort of abuse against women and especially the one who gave birth to my children.”
Dennis claimed in his Instagram post that after Hoskins’ funeral, journalists had asked him if he was a murderer, and asked how he felt knowing he killed his children’s mother, and that they would never see her again.
“The media speak about the children and how saddened they are for the children,” he wrote this week.
“Yet they happily stalk, follow and harass not just adults in my family but even when the kids are involved.”
He accused the media of twisting his words.
“They know I never intentionally or unintentionally used a vehicle as a weapon. Yet they come after me for cheap clicks. Pathetic journalism.
“Time for all you so called journalists and media outlets to back off and leave my family alone.”
South Australia’s district court heard Dennis and Hoskins had argued about kitchen renovations before Dennis got in his car and drove away in late December 2023.
Hoskins jumped on to the bonnet and Dennis continued driving before Hoskins got off and opened the car door. Dennis closed it but she held on.
During sentencing in May 2025, judge Ian Press said it was important to acknowledge Dennis was not charged with causing Hoskins’ death.
“Unbeknownst to you, your wife held on to the car as you accelerated down the street. It was then that she fell and lost her life,” he said.
Dennis agreed to a $100, two-year good behaviour bond, and had his licence suspended for five years.
During his competitive career, Dennis won two world titles in the road time trial, as well as silver in the team pursuit at the 2012 Olympics and bronze in the road time trial at the Tokyo Olympics.
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.
