Australian cyclist charged over world champion wife's death

Former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis has been charged over the death of his wife Melissa Hoskins, who was also a former world team champion and Olympian.

Australian media reported that Mr Dennis was arrested after hitting his wife with a car.

Ms Hoskins, a retired track cyclist who represented Australia at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, died in hospital after suffering what police said were "serious injuries" on Saturday evening.

Mr Dennis, 33, is a former professional who won the world time trials in 2018 and 2019, as well as taking a stage win in the 2015 Tour de France.

South Australia Police said a 33-year-old man, widely reported to be Mr Dennis, had been charged with "causing death by dangerous driving" and "driving without due care and endangering life".

"The driver is known to the woman," police said, without confirming his name.

The international association of women cyclists said it was "shocked" to learn of Ms Hoskins's death.

"We send our thoughts to those who love her, starting with her children, and were lucky enough to ride with her during an all too short life," CPA Women said on social media.

Ms Hoskins, 32, rode in the Australian team that won the team pursuit event at the 2015 Track Cycling World Championships in France.