Trek-Segafredo sports director Steven de Jongh, who was reported missing by his wife when he went missing during a bike ride near Girona last week, has thanked his followers on social media for the support they gave as a search operation was mounted to find him.
Renee Meijer appealed on Twitter last Monday after her husband’s Strava stopped updating around 63 kilometres into his ride.
He was found unconscious in a ravine by a helicopter crew, with details of his bike ride on the social network helping to narrow down the search area.
The 44-year-old was taken to hospital, where it was discovered that he had sustained a severe concussion but thankfully no other injuries.
In a post on Instagram yesterday afternoon, de Jongh said: “One week ago around this time family and friends were very happy with the news I was found.”
Thanking his wife for her prompt appeal for help, as well as friends and Catalonia’s police and fire services, he continued: “I was found before the bad weather started ... thanks also Strava for pointing them in the right direction. And Twitter where the cycling community retweeted the message of my disappearance massively!”
De Jongh also expressed thanks to his Trek-Segafredo team and in an update on his condition, added: “My health is going the right direction but I know it will take time to come back. But I will be back.”