Sonny Colbrelli hospitalised after collapsing at Volta a Catalunya
Italian receives emergency medical care behind screens after taking second in sprint finish
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.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"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.
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.