Remembered as a “beacon of strength” and “a freewheeling spirit”, Olympian Melissa Hoskins has received emotional tributes from former and current cyclists, friends and family following her death last week.
A minute of silence was given to honour Hoskins’ memory before the start of the women’s road race at the Australian road cycling championships on Sunday morning in Buninyong, near Ballarat.
Alongside the cyclists at the event, former Australian track and road cycling champion Kate Bates addressed the crowd, saying: “Let her unyielding spirit inspire us to push forward, to strive for excellence, and to cherish every moment of this race and of our lives.”
A popular figure in the sport of cycling, Hoskins was a two-time Olympian and world champion. The mother of two died in Adelaide last week from injuries suffered in a traffic incident. Hoskins’ husband, Rohan Dennis, faces several driving-related charges over her death.
“Mel was a beacon of strength, determination and bravery. Her vibrant spirit and resilience inspired everyone around her,” said Bates.
“Mel was a mother, a daughter, a sister, a very much-loved friend and beyond this she was an Olympian, a world beater and one of the best athletes Australian cycling… will ever see.”
Hoskins’ parents, Peter and Amanda, and her sister, Jess, released a joint statement last week, saying they are “utterly devastated” and are “still struggling to process what has happened”.
“Words cannot convey our grief, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s passing,” the statement said.
“Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.”
“She was the rock of their life and ours and we need to honour her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched.”
Women’s Tour race director Annette Edmondson said this is “a really, really hard situation and we feel for everybody involved.There will be moments and it will be tough at times”.
A national teammate of Hoskins on the track in the team pursuit, Edmondson also said the world had “lost a shining star” in Hoskins, describing her as a “a fun, loving, hilarious person, who was so talented in so many areas.”
“A force to be reckoned with, she took the cycling world by storm, before pursuing her next dream; starting a family & becoming the ultimate Mum.”
Hoskins’ family has asked for privacy to deal with their grief. A funeral will be held for Hoskins in her hometown of Perth, followed by a memorial service in Adelaide after this month’s Tour Down Under.