Cycling legend Oscar Freire sparks panic after going missing with police launching search

CYCLING legend Oscar Freire has been safely located after his family reported him missing and the police launched a major search.

The three-time world champion is said to be in a good condition, having disappeared for 24 hours.

Spanish outlet El Diario Montanes say the 48-year-old left his home voluntarily and is in "good condition".

Freire was said to have left belongings including keys and credit cards at his home in Torrelavega, the town in Spain's northern region of Cantabria where he was born.

A local paper initially reported his car has been found but added that the cyclist’s whereabouts remains a mystery.

Police quickly investigated and now his location has reportedly been identified.

The former professional was one of the top sprinters in bicycle road racing.

He was active in the sport between 1997 and 2012.

He won the World Championship race a record-equalling three times in 1999, 2001 and 2004.

That matches the achievement of Alfredo Binda, Rik Van Steenbergen, and Eddy Merckx.

Freire's weakness at climbing at the top level has hurt him in the grand tours.

But he did win the points classification at the 2008 Tour de France, and won four Tour stages through 2010.

Freire also won seven stages at Spain’s La Vuelta which is another of the leading cycle races in the international calendar.

Britain's Mark Cavendish and Freire were rivals in many races.