Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis says he never wanted to hurt wife Melissa Hoskins and attacks media’s ‘false narrative’ | South Australia

Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis lashed out at journalists on social media, saying they were creating a “false narrative” about him after his wife’s death in 2023.

“The narrative the media was conveying was clear,” the former professional cyclist wrote on Instagram late Monday night. “They wanted me to look like a husband who abuses his wife.”

In May last year Dennis was given a 17-month suspended prison sentence after his car fatally crashed into fellow Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins near their home in suburban Adelaide.

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, sharing a photo of a black Porsche with the caption: “What an amazing gun.”

South Australia’s victims’ rights commissioner, Sarah Quick, described the post as “deeply offensive”. Dennis later shared a photo of his two children with the caption: “Two absolute weapons.”

The world champion criticized the media coverage of his case.

“These rats didn’t last long,” he said when a journalist contacted him in mid-March to comment on his social media posts.

On Monday, Dennis wrote that he loved Melissa and the last thing he wanted was to hurt her.

“Never in my life have I considered physical aggression in any disagreement with Melissa.

“I have always been against any form of abuse against women, especially the women who gave birth to my children.”

In his Instagram post, Dennis claimed that after Hoskins’ funeral, journalists asked him if he was the murderer, how he felt knowing he had killed the mother of his children and that they would never see her again.

“The media is talking about the kids and how sorry they feel for the kids,” he wrote this week.

“Yet they happily stalk, stalk and harass not only the adults in my family, but even when children are involved.”

He accused the media of distorting his words.

“They know I never use the vehicle as a weapon, knowingly or unknowingly. But they come after me for cheap clicks. Poor journalism.

“It’s time for you so-called journalists and media outlets to step back and leave my family alone.”

The South Australian district court heard Dennis and Hoskins argued over a kitchen renovation before Dennis got into his car and drove away in late December 2023.

Hoskins jumped on the hood and Dennis continued driving before Hoskins got out and opened the car door. Dennis closed the door but held on.

At sentencing in May 2025, judge Ian Press said it was important to accept that Dennis was not accused of causing Hoskins’ death.

“While you were speeding down the street, your wife held on to the car without your knowledge. At that moment, she fell and died,” he said.

Dennis agreed to a two-year $100 good behavior bond and his license was suspended for five years.

During his competitive career, Dennis won two world titles in the road time trial, as well as a silver medal in the team pursuit at the 2012 Olympics and a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics road time trial.

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