Three-time world champion Óscar Freire arrested after wife files domestic violence complaint

Óscar Freire was arrested by Spanish police on Sunday evening. The former professional cyclist, who spent the majority of his career racing for the Dutch Rabobank team, was detained by the Guardia Civil after his wife filed a complaint of domestic violence, according to Europa Press. The complaint follows a serious altercation.

Freire and his wife have not lived together since November 2025 and are currently in the process of divorcing. On Sunday afternoon, his wife went to church for mass. Freire was also present. Although they initially sat in separate pews, he moved to sit next to her. An argument broke out, during which he is alleged to have grabbed her firmly by the arm and tried to force her to remain seated.

She was able to leave the church afterwards, and went to the police station in Torrelavega. At 7:00 PM, Freire was arrested. The relationship between him and his wife has been difficult for some time. Since 2023, according to her account, there have been "many intense arguments" and she has stated that he "has always been very controlling throughout the relationship." She initially considered this normal, but it grew progressively worse.

In recent years, she felt constantly intimidated. She also claims he placed microphones and GPS trackers in her car. According to the police report, Freire tried to call her thirteen times after the argument in the church. In previous disputes, he had already smashed her phone when she tried to call the former cyclist's brother.

The couple's children were present during many of the arguments, two of whom are minors. Their eldest son, Marcos (19), is part of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG development squad. Freire senior is also alleged to have had extramarital relationships. "I am worth much more than you. You are just an ordinary girl. I deserve this and you have to forgive me," he allegedly said.

It is not the first time things have gone wrong for Freire. In February 2025 he was reported missing, which later turned out to be a voluntary disappearance after another family argument. "It was misinterpreted. This is a family matter. It doesn't need to go any further. I know he is doing well," his brother Antonio said at the time.