A terrible scene was seen across the finish line on the first day of the Volta a Catalunya as Sonny Colbrelli of Bahrain Victorious received emergency treatment just across the finish line in San Feliu de Giquisol.

Shortly after Michael Matthews (open in new tab) won the stage, the European champion, who was in second place in the uphill sprint, collapsed and required emergency treatment.

Cycling News witnessed the scene as paramedics pumped the rider's chest for treatment. The team told Cycling News that the cardioverter defibrillator was only used to check the heart rate.

Screens were set up around Colbrelli and four ambulances soon arrived on the scene. The Italian rider was taken by ambulance to the hospital approximately 45 minutes after the stage ended. He is said to be conscious. [The Bahrain Victorias team issued a brief statement on Colbrelli's condition.

"Sonny Colbrelli became unconscious after the sprint of the first stage of the Volta a Catalunya.

"Colbrelli was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of Girona for further medical assistance and to further investigate his condition, but his condition was stable.

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

Colbrelli had returned to racing in the Volta a Catalunya after abandoning the Paris-Nice stage 1 due to bronchitis.