Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has issued his first public statement after receiving a suspended sentence over the death of his wife.

Dennis was handed a suspended sentence over the 2023 incident that claimed the life of his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.

Rohan Dennis was handed down a suspended sentence over the death of his wife Melissa Hoskins.
Ms Hoskins, 32, died in December 2023 after being hit by a Volkswagen ­Amarok Highline ute on Avenel Gardens Rd, Medindie, with Dennis behind the wheel.

He pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge of creating likelihood of harm relating to the tragedy.

Dennis shared a lengthy four-page statement on social media on Monday night, claiming he never meant to hurt his wife.

“Yes it was an accident,” he said.

“I loved Melissa and the last thing I ever wanted was to hurt her.

“Never in my life has any physical aggression crossed my mind in any disagreement with Melissa.

Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has issued his first public statement after receiving a suspended sentence over the death of his wife. Picture: Instagram

He said the death was an accident and he never meant to hurt his wife. Picture: Instagram
He claimed media allegations suggested Dennis was a “husband who abused his wife”.

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“I have ALWAYS been against any sort of abuse against women and especially the one who gave birth to my children,” he said.

The statement came after Mr Dennis’ controversial return to social media on March 18, which sparked backlash from human rights advocates.

In the post, Mr Dennis uploaded an image of a black Porsche on his Instagram account, which he described as an “absolute weapon”.

The statement came after Rohan Dennis’ controversial return to Instagram. Picture: rohandennis/Instagram
In Australian slang, the term “weapon” is often used to describe something impressive or highly skilled.

The post sparked backlash, with Victims’ Rights Commissioner Sarah Quick describing it as “deeply offensive and one that demonstrates a lack of empathy and insight”.

“Words matter and a vehicle should never be referred to as a weapon or regarded as a weapon, and the fact that Mr Dennis has chosen to do so is particularly shocking,” she told the ABC.

Ms Hoskins died following an argument with Mr Dennis about a kitchen renovation in December 2023.

A court heard Mr Dennis took off in the family Volkswagen Amarok and started to drive away from the Adelaide home.

Melissa Hoskins was an Olympic cyclist alongside her husband. Picture: Instagram

Mr Dennis was given a two-year good behaviour bond and had his licence stripped for five years. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt
However, Ms Hoskins ran outside to stop her husband from driving away, launching herself on the bonnet of the car as it drove behind the property at about 20 km/h.

Mr Dennis then pulled into Avenel Gardens Rd, where Ms Hoskins dismounted the bonnet and grabbed the driver’s side door.

She then tripped and was dragged underneath the car, sustaining critical injuries.

The 32-year-old later died at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

In court, Mr Dennis was told he “disregarded his wife’s safety” but was not responsible for Ms Hoskins’ death.

He was sentenced to one year and four months behind bars but had his sentence suspended.

Mr Dennis was instead placed on a two-year good behaviour bond.

His licence was also suspended for five years.

The couple had two children together. Picture: Instagram
Mr Dennis and Ms Hoskins were married in 2018 and had two children together.

The former cyclist represented Australia in the 2012 London Olympics, where he took home a silver medal in the team pursuit.

He was also won consecutive world titles at the 2010 and 2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

His late wife was also an accomplished cyclist, who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, representing Australia in the track cycling team pursuit team, which placed fourth.

She later competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics before retiring in 2017