Former Australian cyclist Rohan Dennis, the double world time trial champion prosecuted for the death of his wife, cyclist Melissa Koskins, made his first appearance in Adelaide on Wednesday before a court, which returned his cases as of August 6.
Melissa Hoskins, 32, a former road time trial and track team pursuit specialist, died in hospital at the end of December after being struck by a vehicle driven by Rohan Dennis, who was then charged by the police of “manslaughter by reckless driving and endangering the lives of others”.
On Wednesday, the ex-racer, who had announced his retirement a year ago and was still under contract with Jumbo-Visma until the end of 2023, appeared free, after having been paid bail during his charge.
Prosecutors ask for more time
He made no statement to the court, which adjourned the case until Aug. 6 to allow the prosecution to prepare its brief and determine what charges to pursue him on, according to court documents.
According to Australian media, prosecutors asked for more time, in particular to reconstruct the facts.
In addition to his double world time trial title acquired in 2018 and 2019, Dennis was also twice world team champion in this exercise (2014 and 2015) and individual bronze medalist at the 2020 Olympic Games. also won a stage of the Tour de France in 2015, as well as a stage at the Giro and two at the Vuelta in recent years.
A track specialist in his early days, he also won two team pursuit world championship titles in 2010 and 2011, as well as a silver medal in this specialty at the 2012 Olympics.
Melissa Hoskins ended her career in 2017 and married Rohan Dennis in 2018, with whom she had two children.
She was part of the victorious Australian team in the team pursuit event at the track cycling world championships in France in 2015. She also represented Australia at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.