‘What an absolute weapon’: Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis’ post sparks backlash after wife’s death

Critics called the caption ‘completely tone deaf’.

Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has been accused of a “tone‑deaf” return to social media in the wake of his wife’s death following an incident involving a car he was driving.

“What an absolute weapon,” Dennis captioned an Instagram post featuring an image of a black Porsche 911.

Dennis is currently on a suspended sentence and banned from driving after he pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge of creating a likelihood of harm.

His wife, fellow Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, was fatally injured by the car Dennis was in as he tried to drive away during an argument.

The social media post prompted a furious online reaction, with many people saying it was inappropriate.

“Completely tone deaf,” one person wrote.

“His second post back on social media after his wife’s death. No public statements or acknowledgement of his deceased wife.”

Another person commented: “What a disgusting thing to say.”

Others questioned why Dennis was posting about cars when his licence was suspended for five years as part of his sentence.

“He’s banned from driving so there’s really no reason to be even thinking or posting about cars,” someone said.

The post comes less than a year after Dennis received a suspended sentence over the incident that killed Hoskins outside their Medindie home, in Adelaide’s inner north, in late 2023.

When Dennis pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge of creating a likelihood of harm, prosecutors dropped more serious charges including dangerous driving causing death and aggravated driving without due care.

In sentencing, District Court Judge Ian Press made it clear Dennis was not criminally responsible for causing his wife’s death.

The court heard Hoskins had climbed onto the bonnet of the car during an argument.

Dennis slowed down and she got off, walking beside the car before opening the passenger door while it was still moving.

Press said Dennis shut the door and accelerated “in what appears to be an attempt to drive away from her”, unaware she had grabbed onto the vehicle.

“There is no allegation that you knew, or even contemplated, the likelihood that your wife was still running next to the car,” he said.

However, the judge said Dennis should have stopped.

“It was your obligation to stop the vehicle when driving that vehicle became dangerous to her physical wellbeing,” he said.

“That you did not stop because you wanted to leave is a very poor reason for not doing so.”

Hoskins suffered serious injuries and died in Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Dennis was handed a 17‑month prison term, suspended on a two‑year good‑behaviour bond, and disqualified from driving for five years. His bond expires in 2027.