Sonny Colbrelli suffered from 'unstable cardiac arrhythmia', say Bahrain Victorious after Volta a Catalunya collapse

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Published 22/03/2022 at 16:47 GMT

Bahrain Victorious rider Sonny Colbrelli was treated by medics and taken to hospital after collapsing at the finish of Stage 1 of the Volta a Catalunya. His team have said in a statement that he suffered from "unstable cardiac arrhythmia" and is set to undergo further tests. Seven-time Grand Tour champion Alberto Contador told Eurosport the incident at the finish line was a “huge scare”.

Sonny Colbrelli “suffered from an unstable cardiac arrhythmia that required defibrillation” after collapsing at the end of the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya, according to his team Bahrain Victorious.

Colbrelli fell to the ground after crossing the finish line in second place behind Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco).

He was treated by medics and then taken to hospital for further tests and medical attention.

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A statement from Bahrain Victorious on Tuesday said: “Following the end of Stage 1 of Volta a Catalunya, our medical team can confirm that Sonny Colbrelli suffered from an unstable cardiac arrhythmia that required defibrillation.

“The cause is still to be determined, and the Italian rider will undergo further tests tomorrow at the Hospital Universitari de Girona.

“The team would like to thank Borja Saenz de Cos – Emergency Nurse at Sistema d’Emergencies Mediques (Catalan Emergency Service) – for his prompt assistance at the finish yesterday and for supporting our medical staff in the management of the incident.

“Sonny Colbrelli’s clinical situation is good, and we wish him a prompt recovery.”

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Cardiac arrhythmia was the condition that forced Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero into an early retirement.

Colbrelli was returning to action after missing Paris-Nice and Milan-San Remo with bronchitis.

He memorably won Paris-Roubaix last year, seeing off the fancied Mathieu van der Poel and Florian Vermeersch in a mud-soaked epic, and started his season with a second-place finish behind Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in February.

Seven-time Grand Tour champion Alberto Contador told Eurosport the incident at the finish line was a “huge scare”.

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“He has spent the entire night monitored under medical control. He looks animated. He hasn't rested too much, things go through your head, but he is fine and motivated.

“He will have a detailed follow-up. Fortunately, it has been at a time when he has the most attention and can intervene quickly.”

Kaden Groves of BikeExchange-Jayco won Stage 2 of the Volta a Catalunya.

The Australian beat Phil Bahaus (BikeExchange-Jayco) and Hugo Hofstetter (Arkea-Samsic) to the line in a sprint finish.

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