Michael Matthews won the opening stage in Sant Feliu de Guíxols ©Getty Images

Australia’s Michael Matthews earned victory on the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya, while runner-up Sonny Colbrelli is "stable" in hospital after the Italian rider collapsed at the finish.

Several breaks and splits in the peloton occurred during the 171.2 kilometre stage, which began and ended in Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

The peloton caught the final breakaway group inside the final 10km, leading to an uphill sprint to decide the stage winner.

Matthews and Colbrelli went head-to-head for the victory, with the former emerging as the winner in 3 hrs, 47 mins, 11 secs.

The result gave Matthews his first win since 2020, while it was the second time he had triumphed in Sant Feliu de Guíxols after winning stage two in the town at the 2019 race.

Colbrelli finished second on the stage, with the Italian collapsing shortly after the sprint.

Team Bahrain Victorious issued an update, confirming he was now stable in hospital after receiving medical treatment.

"Following the sprint on stage one of Volta a Catalunya, Sonny Colbrelli fell unconscious," the statement read.

"Colbrelli underwent further medical assistance, and he was in a stable condition upon being taken into an ambulance to Hospital Universitari de Girona to investigate his condition further.

"Team Bahrain Victorious would like to thank the organisers and the medical teams for their support and assistance.

"Further updates will follow."

Colbrelli, the reigning European and Italian champion, had been forced to withdraw during Paris-Nice earlier this month with suspected bronchitis.

He also missed Milan-San Remo on Saturday (March 19).

The Volta a Catalunya is due to continue tomorrow with a 202.4km stage from L'Escala to Perpignan in France.

Matthews will wear the race leader’s jersey on the stage.

The seven-stage International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour race has been billed as a test of form for several contenders at next month’s Giro d’Italia.