The Australian Michael Matthews has won the mass sprint on the first stage of the traditional Tour of Catalonia.
After 171.2 km on the circuit by the sea in Sant Feliu de Guixols, the three-time Tour de France stage winner from the BikeExchange-Jayco team sat ahead of Sonny Colbrelli (Italy/Bahrain-Victorious) and the Frenchman Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ ) through.
Colbrelli collapsed shortly after crossing the finish line. As a Spanish TV station reported, the Paris Roubaix winner had to be given medical attention. Two weeks ago, the 31-year-old ended the long-distance Tirreno-Adriatico trip early due to bronchitis.
For Matthews it was the first stage win since August 2020. Anton Palzer (Ramsau/Bora-hansgrohe) was the best German in 75th place. Last year’s winner Adam Yates (Great Britain) is not at the start.
The second part of the 101st edition of the stage race, which ends in Barcelona on Sunday, will take place in Perpignan, France, on Tuesday. A hectic finale is expected, which could be characterized by strong winds.