Following the recent tragic death of Olympian and world champion cyclist Melissa Dennis (née Hoskins), her parents, Peter and Amanda, and sister Jess, released a statement through national cycling federation AusCycling.

Hoskins, a mother of two who was married to Rohan Dennis, died on New Year's Eve after allegedly being hit by a car in Adelaide on the night of December 30. [32-year-old Hoskins died of her injuries at the hospital the next morning, and Dennis was reportedly charged with dangerous driving manslaughter, reckless driving manslaughter, and life endangering driving manslaughter. hoskins' death comes after racing on the track and road until her retirement from professional cycling in 2017, sparked shock and sadness on social media and also highlighted the meaningful impact she had on many people.

A statement from Hoskins' family follows:

Words cannot convey our sadness, grief, and the tragic circumstances of Melissa's passing. Myself, Amanda, Jess, and our family are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened. Not only have we lost our daughter and sister, but her children have also lost a mother who was a free spirit and gave them a big heart, patience, and zest for life. We must honor her memory so that her children can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for, and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief and support. Melissa made so many positive contacts around the world in her short life. The funeral will be held in her hometown of Perth and a memorial service will be held in Adelaide after the Tour Down Under. We must now deal with our grief personally and will refrain from further comment. We ask that the media respect the privacy of us and Melissa's children. Peter, Amanda, and Jess