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Melissa Hoskins: Ex-cyclist Rohan Dennis pleads guilty to lesser charge over death of wife after car crash

Former professional cyclist Rohan Dennis admits to lesser charge over car incident that killed his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins outside their Adelaide home in December 2023; Dennis will be sentenced at a later date; Hoskins won gold in team pursuit at 2015 World Championships

Poland's Katarzyna Pawlowska, center, Australia's Melissa Hoskins, left, and Belgium's Kelly Druyts celebrate with their medals from the the final of the women's scratch race at the Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, April 6, 2012. Pawlowska won gold, Hoskins silver and Druyts won the bronze.  (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Image: Melissa Hoskins died outside her Adelaide home in December 2023

Former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge over a car crash that killed his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins outside their home in Adelaide in December 2023.

Dennis was initially charged with dangerous driving causing death and an aggravated charge of driving without due care but has now admitted to one aggravated count of creating the likelihood of harm.

The 34-year-old will be sentenced at a later date.

Dennis' charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.

Rohan Dennis, cycling (Associated Press)
Image: Rohan Dennis has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge over the death of his wife and fellow Olympian Hoskins

Dennis' lawyer told the court: "There was no intention of Mr Dennis to harm his wife and this charge does not charge him with responsibility for her death."

Adelaide-born Dennis, who retired from professional cycling in 2023, won stages at the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana.

He claimed World Championship titles on the road and on the track, while he also won Commonwealth Games gold in the time trial in Birmingham in 2022.

Hoskins won gold in the women's team pursuit at the 2015 World Championships and represented Australia at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.