Fresh twist as Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis could face 15 years in jail over the tragic death of his Olympian wife Melissa Hoskins

Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has asked for a further delay to respond to allegations that he murdered his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.

Mr Dennis, who appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday, was due to enter his pleas to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated driving without due care.

Police allege Mr Dennis struck Ms Hoskins with a dark gray Volkswagen Amarok outside the couple’s Medindie home in Adelaide’s north at around 8pm on December 30, 2023.

Attorney Jessica Kurtzer, who appeared for Dennis before Magistrate Justin Wickens on Wednesday, asked her client for another six weeks to review his pleas, saying negotiations with the prosecutor were ongoing.

At an earlier hearing in August, Ms. Kurtzer asked for three months to review the pleas, which the court granted.

Negotiations mean Mr Dennis could plead to amended charges at a new hearing on the charges, booked for December 10.

If he pleads guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving, Mr Dennis, who shares two children with Ms Hoskins, faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

Ms Hoskins, 32, suffered serious injuries in the crash and paramedics took her to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for further treatment. She died in hospital.

Police arrested and charged Mr. Dennis that weekend.

Mr. Dennis’s change of fortune was rapid and shocking.

Just three years ago he stood on a podium in Tokyo and celebrated his place in sporting history as an individual Olympic medalist.

He first came to prominence at the 2012 London Olympics, where he won a silver medal in the 4000-metre team pursuit on the velodrome.

In 2016 he finished fifth in the individual time trial in Brazil, but perhaps his crowning achievement is his bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 28, 2021.

In memorable scenes at the Fuji International Speedway, he took the medal with a time of 56:08.09.

During his speech, Mr Dennis said he had done ‘everything possible’ to take home the gold.

Police allege Dennis hit Ms Hoskins with a dark gray Volkswagen Amarok outside the couple’s Medindie home in Adelaide’s inner west at around 8pm on December 30, 2023.

“Obviously it would have been great to get the gold, but I did everything I could to be in this position and I was just beaten by two better guys that day, so I can be proud of everything I and have achieved the team,” he said.

In 2017, he became engaged to Ms. Hoskins, a fellow Olympian.

Ms Hoskins competed in the London and Rio Olympics in track cycling.

She just missed out on a medal in London, finishing fourth in the team pursuit category on the 3000 meters.

In Rio she finished fifth in the team pursuit of the 4000 meters.

In 2018, the couple married and settled with their two children in a leafy house in Adelaide’s posh Medindie.

In 2022, Mr Dennis won a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in Great Britain.

He retired from cycling in 2023 and thanked Ms Hoskins for her support in a heartfelt post on social media.

Mrs Hoskins memorial service at Adelaide Town Hall

“Thank you Melissa Dennis for supporting me throughout my entire professional career while raising two of the best children I could ever ask for,” he said.

Melissa’s father Peter, mother Amanda and sister Jessica released a statement on January 2 expressing their sadness over her death.

“Words cannot convey our grief, sorrow and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s death,” Mr Hoskins wrote on behalf of the family.

‘Myself, Amanda, Jess and my families are completely devastated and are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

“Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have also lost their mother, a free spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.”

Hundreds of mourners gathered to farewell the world-class cyclist at a public service in Adelaide on February 24.