Family’s united front at Melissa Hoskins’ funeral despite charges against her husband

The grieving Hoskins and Dennis families appeared to present a united front at the funeral of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins despite charges against her husband over the death.

Rohan Dennis entered the West Chapel at Fremantle Cemetery in Perth on Wednesday via a side entrance, rather than showing up with the rest of the family alongside the white hearse and pale wooden casket adorned with sunflowers.

He also did not have a speaking role in the service and mostly sat solemnly close to the front of the chapel with his two young children.

Mr Dennis placed rosemary on the casket, but did so after other family members, including Ms Hoskins’ parents and sister.

After the service, he again left via a different door, flanked by supporters and carrying one of his children.

It appeared his special treatment though was more to do with avoiding the media.

In his eulogy, Ms Hoskins’ father Peter noted she was a “wife” among many other things.

“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 as her fellow athlete husband continued his career until recently.

He said when she retired she reset her life goals, telling her family: “It’s time to be a champion mum.”

Mr Hoskins described her as a rock for her family.

“When your partner is off competing you become a thread of continuity ... and you have to just get it done. She did just that,” he said.

The young family only recently moved back to Australia after years of living overseas.

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

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

“She was a giver, would lend anything to anyone,” 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, then one day out of the blue she posted a photo of a tattoo she had inked on her right foot ... ‘Jess’ in honour of her sister.

“From then on she loved her feet, well maybe not loved but she was more comfortable.

“She loved to cook and entertain.

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

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

“I will miss her joyous laugh and huge smile forever, and our family get-togethers will never be the same,” he said.

Mr Hoskins said they were celebrating a life cut short.

“We are grieving, all of us,” he said.

“We are sad, all of us.

“There should have been more. There’s not going to be more but we are left with a lifetime of memories.

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

A memorial service will also be held in Adelaide after the Tour Down Under cycling event.

Ms Hoskins was raised in Kalamunda, in the Perth Hills, before beginning her professional cycling career that saw her travel the world.

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

Mr Dennis, a former world champion cyclist and Olympian, has been charged with causing his wife’s death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.

The 33-year-old, who is yet to enter pleas to the charges, is on bail and is scheduled to face Adelaide Magistrates Court on March 13.

Police have not revealed details of Ms Hoskins’ death, but it has been reported she allegedly jumped onto the bonnet of the $70,000 dark grey 2022 Volkswagen Amarok Highline V6 and grabbed at a door handle before the vehicle drove off and she fell to the ground.

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

Ms Hoskins and Mr Dennis became trackside sweethearts during the London Olympics in 2012.

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 Adelaide colonial mansion, which they had purchased in 2019 but rented out for a few years.

Ms Hoskins was part of Australia’s ride-off for bronze in London but the three-rider squad was defeated by the US.

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

But she suffered an injury and although she rode 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.