Hoskins honoured with emotional tribute at nationals

Melissa Hoskins has been remembered with a minute's silence before the start of the women's road race at the Australian road cycling championships.

Riders were emotional on the start line at Buninyong, near Ballarat, on Sunday morning as the 32-year-old mother of two was honoured a week after her death.

Hoskins, a popular figure in the sport, was a two-time Olympian and world champion.

Melissa Hoskins
Brodie Chapman consoles teammate Amanda Spratt after the minute of silence for Melissa Hoskins.

"Mel was a beacon of strength, determination and bravery. Her vibrant spirit and resilience inspired everyone around her," Bates said.

"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.

"As we stand here on the cusp of this race, let us take a moment of silence to remember Mel.

"Let her unyielding spirit inspire us to push forward and to strive for excellence, and to cherish every moment of this race and of our lives."

Melissa Hoskins
Melissa Hoskins has been remembered for her vibrant spirit and resilience.

The women's Tour Down Under will also remember Hoskins with a minute's silence before the start of the first stage on January 12 at Hahndorf, in the Adelaide Hills.

"It's a really, really hard situation and we feel for everybody involved," said women's Tour race director Annette Edmondson, who was a national teammate of Hoskins on the track in the team pursuit.

"There will be moments and it will be tough at times."

Hoskins died in Adelaide from injuries suffered in a traffic incident.

Her husband, two-time world road cycling champion and Olympic medallist Rohan Dennis, faces several driving-related charges over Hoskins' death.

Cyc

License this article

Kate Bates, also a former Olympic cyclist and now a commentator in the sport, paid tribute to Hoskins.
What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store