Sonny Colbrelli has collapsed and been revived after an apparent cardiac emergency just moments after sprinting to 2nd place on the opening stage of Volta Ciclista a Catalunya today.
The European champion, who is just making a return to form after a recent bout of bronchitis, finished behind stage winner Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco). The race ended in a sprint from a reduced bunch on a slightly uphill finish after 171.2km of racing into Sant Feliu de Guíxols.
According to Teledeporte, which broadcast the race, Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) collapsed after the stage and received a “heart massage” in the finish area. He was then taken from the scene to hospital, with other Spanish media outlets reporting he was conscious when taken away from the finishing area by medics.
It appears Colbrelli had a cardiac issue – reported as a heart attack by some Spanish media outlets – immediately after the stage and was revived. As he was being attended to, a number of paramedics held up white sheets around him to ensure privacy from TV cameras in the area and privacy from the public.
Bahrain Victorious has confirmed in a brief statement
that Colbrelli was the rider who feel unconscious after the stage, naming him
but also saying he had regained consciousness at the scene.
“He 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,” the team said.
“Team Bahrain Victorious would like to thank the organisers Volta Catalunya and the medical teams for their support and assistance. Further updates will follow.”
