The drama came close to yesterday at the end of the first stage of the Tour of Catalonia: Sonny Colbrelli suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest after crossing the finish line at the end of the sprint ended in second place, behind the Australian Michael Matthews in Sant Feliu de Guixols, a small town on the Costa Brava.
The Lombard cyclist, who brought the Paris-Roubaix back to Italy last October after 22 years at the end of an epic mud fight, lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.
According to the statement released by the race organizers he was the victim of "an episode of loss of consciousness with convulsions and subsequent cardiorespiratory arrest". The doctors at the finish line revived him by giving him a heart massage and using a defibrillator.
Upon regaining consciousness, the cyclist was taken to the university hospital of Girona.
Professional since 2011, 31 years old, Colbrelli last year experienced a season to be framed: a stage of the Giro del Dauphiné in June, victories in the Italian championship and then in the European one. Until the most beautiful success of his 34 victories, the Paris-Roubaix.
Many wished Colbrelli a speedy recovery.
"Following the sprint in the first stage of the Volta a Catalunya, Sonny Colbrelli fell ill and lost consciousness - reads a statement from his team - He was subjected to further medical assistance and was in stable condition after being taken to the hospital. 'university hospital of Girona, to further investigate his condition. The Bahrain-Victorius team would like to thank the organizers and medical teams for their support and assistance. "
(Unioneonline / L)
