Former Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified after he was caught behind the wheel with his two young children in the car while serving a five-year driving ban.
The 36-year-old appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday, where he admitted the offence after being reported by South Australian police last month.
Police alleged Dennis was stopped in the Adelaide suburb of Medindie shortly after 4pm in June while driving with his two children as passengers.
Officers impounded the vehicle for 28 days before charging the former world champion with driving while disqualified.
The matter has now been referred to the District Court for sentencing, with Dennis due to return in September.
The latest offence comes little more than a year after Dennis received a suspended prison sentence over the events leading up to the death of his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
Former Olympian Rohan Dennis has pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified. Above, at court on Friday
Dennis is serving a five-year driving ban imposed after last year’s sentencing over Melissa Hoskins’ death
Hoskins died in December 2023 after she was struck by a vehicle driven by Dennis outside the family’s Adelaide home.
Dennis pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge of creating a likelihood of harm.
Prosecutors withdrew charges of dangerous driving causing death and aggravated driving without due care.
In May 2025, he was sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment, suspended upon entering a two-year good behaviour bond.
As part of that sentence, Dennis was disqualified from driving for five years.
At the time, Judge Ian Press warned him any violation of the driving suspension would be a breach of the bond and Dennis would be jailed.
The offence to which he pleaded guilty on Friday relates to a breach of that court-ordered disqualification.
Dennis arrived at the Adelaide Magistrates Court several hours before his scheduled appearance. Lawyers can seek to have matters called on earlier than listed if the court has capacity.
Dennis slips into the passenger seat of a car outside court
Melissa Hoskins was a two-time Olympian who represented Australia in road and track cycling at two Games
Dennis, Hoskins and their children
The latest court appearance follows renewed scrutiny of Dennis’ social media activity earlier this year.
In March, he posted a photograph of a Porsche and described it as an ‘absolute weapon’.
SA Victims Rights Commissioner Sarah Quick said the post was ‘deeply offensive’ and demonstrated ‘a clear lack of insight into the real and lasting impact of the harm he has caused’.
‘It also reflects a profound lack of respect for Melissa and her family,’ she said.
After attracting criticism, Dennis used the same phrase again in a subsequent post featuring two children riding bicycles.
Dennis enjoyed one of Australia’s most successful professional cycling careers before retiring in 2023.
A two-time Olympian, he won multiple world championships and claimed a stage victory at the Tour de France during a decorated career on the road and track.
