Padua (dpa) – After collapsing on the Tour of Catalonia, European cycling champion Sonny Colbrelli was fitted with a defibrillator.
The operation was carried out in a hospital in Padua, which Colbrelli has since left, his team told Bahrain Victorious. The 31-year-old collapsed on March 21 after the sprint of the first stage and had to be resuscitated. It is unclear whether the Italian can continue his career.
Colbrelli should no longer race in Italy and may no longer be active under the license of his home country. Legally, professional athletes with defibrillators are not allowed to compete in Italy.
This regulation had recently influenced the further career of football star Christian Eriksen. The Dane, who collapsed at the EM 2021, was no longer allowed to play for his club Inter Milan due to the legal situation after the use of a defibrillator and canceled his contract. Eriksen is now active in England for FC Brentford and recently made his debut for the Danish national team.