Revealed: The small – but significant – gesture Rohan Dennis made to Melissa Hoskins at the Olympic cyclist’s funeral as he passed her casket

The husband of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins placed a simple sprig of rosemary on his wife’s coffin during her funeral as he was accused of running her over in his car.

Rohan Dennis was refused entry at the main entrance to the chapel where Wednesday’s removal service was held at Perth’s Fremantle Cemetery.

He was sent away by an messenger and slipped in through a side door before sitting with his two young children in solemn silence near the front of the chapel.

Dennis was not called to speak at the emotional ceremony as he awaits trial for his alleged role in her tragic death.

Instead, he had to make his simple gesture to her coffin – after Mrs Hoskins’ parents and her sister laid their tributes on their daughter’s coffin.

After the service, he left again through a side door, flanked by supporters and carrying his daughter, who held a sunflower that had decorated her mother’s casket.

In his eulogy, Mrs. Hoskins’ father Peter noted that, among other things, she was a “woman.”

‘Melissa is not just our daughter. “She was a sister, a granddaughter, a wife, a mother… and a friend to so many people,” he said.

Mr Hoskins also mentioned how his 32-year-old daughter supported her young family while her fellow athlete husband continued his career until recently.

He said that when she retired, she reset her life goals and told her family, “It’s time to become a champion mom.”

Mr Hoskins described her as a rock to her family.

“When your partner is no longer competing, you become a thread of continuity… and you just have to get it done. She did just that,” he said.

Rohan Dennis was turned away by an usher at the chapel’s main entrance and slipped in through a side door before sitting in solemn silence with his two young children.

Mrs Hoskins’ body arrived in a white hearse. Rohan Dennis was not called to speak during the moving ceremony

The young family only recently returned to Australia after years living abroad.

“She was so looking forward to coming home, being close to family and friends and sharing the same time zone,” Mr Hoskins said.

Crying during the eulogy, Mr Hoskins described his daughter as a beautiful and genuine soul.

“She was a giver and lent everything to everyone,” he said.

‘She was fun, she was sassy, ​​she loved music, she loved to dance and had a zest for life.

“She hated her feet and toes, and one day out of the blue she posted a photo of a tattoo she got on her right foot… ‘Jess’ in honor of her sister.

‘From that moment on she loved her feet, maybe not her feet, but she felt more comfortable.

“She loved cooking and entertaining.

“She loved gin and tonics, so please treat yourself to one tonight and make a generous splash.”

Melissa Hoskins with her father Peter, who cried during his emotional eulogy

Melissa Hoskins with her mother Amanda

Mr Hoskins also described his daughter as down to earth and said she had time for everyone.

“I will forever miss her bright laugh and big smile, and our family gatherings will never be the same,” he said.

Mr Hoskins said they were celebrating a life cut short.

“We are sad, all of us,” he said.

‘We are sad, all of us.

‘There should have been more. There will be nothing more, but we will be left with a lifetime of memories.

“Melissa was just warming up. Her best performances were yet to come.’

Following the Tour Down Under cycling event, a memorial service will also take place in Adelaide.

Melissa Hoskins (right) with her sister Jessica Locke

Ms Hoskins grew up in Kalamunda, in the Perth Hills, before embarking on her professional cycling career, which took her around the world.

Her life was tragically cut short on December 30 when Mr Dennis allegedly hit her with a luxury car outside their $2.45 million home in Adelaide.

Mr Dennis, a former world champion cyclist and Olympian, has been charged with causing the death of his wife by dangerous driving, careless driving and endangering life.

The 33-year-old, who has not yet entered pleas to the charge, has been released on bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on March 13.

Police have not released details of Ms Hoskins’ death, but it is reported that she jumped onto the hood of the $70,000 dark gray 2022 Volkswagen Amarok Highline V6 and grabbed the door handle before the vehicle sped off and fell to the ground .

It is further alleged that she may have been dragged by the vehicle, with the incident captured on a neighbour’s security camera.

Ms Hoskins and Mr Dennis became lovers on the track during the 2012 London Olympics.

They married in February 2018 and split their time between Girona in Spain, La Massana in Andorra and Adelaide.

Their son was born in 2018, followed by a daughter in 2021.

The young family recently settled into their colonial mansion in Adelaide, which they bought in 2019 but rented out for a few years.

Provided editorial material Rohan Dennis and Melissa Hoskins from their social media accounts.

Provided editorial material Rohan Dennis and Melissa Hoskins from their social media accounts.

Ms Hoskins was part of Australia’s bid for bronze in London, but the team of three riders were defeated by the US.

Four years later, the four-rider Australian team was expected to challenge Great Britain for gold at the Rio Olympics.

But she suffered an injury and although she completed the first two rounds, she sat out the final where the team finished in fifth place.

Ms Hoskins won gold in the women’s team pursuit at the 2015 World Championships.