Sonny Colbrelli hospitalised after collapsing at Volta a Catalunya

There were terrible scenes beyond the finish line on the opening day of the Volta a Catalunya as Sonny Colbrelli of Bahrain Victorious received emergency medical care beyond the finish line in Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

Shortly after Michael Matthews won the stage, the European champion, who had finished second on the uphill sprint, collapsed and required urgent attention. 

Cyclingnews was eye-witness to the scene as medics administered treatment, pumping the rider's chest. The team told Cyclingnews that a heart defibrillator was only used to check his heart rate. 

Screens were erected around Colbrelli and four ambulances soon appeared on the scene. The Italian rider was transported by ambulance to hospital roughly 45 minutes following the finish of the stage. He was said to be conscious.

The Bahrain Victorious team issued a brief statement on Colbrelli's condition.

"Following the sprint on Stage 1 of Volta a Catalunya, Sonny Colbrelli fell unconscious," the statement said. 

"Colbrelli underwent further medical assistance, and he was in stable condition upon being taken into an ambulance to Hospital Universitari de Girona to investigate his condition further.

"Team Bahrain Victorious would like to thank the organisers and the medical teams for their support and assistance. Further updates will follow."

Colbrelli was returning to racing at the Volta a Catalunya after abandoning Paris-Nice after stage 1 due to bronchitis.