“It is with great sadness that Red Bull Honda has to announce that Nicky Hayden has succumbed to injuries suffered during an incident while riding his bicycle last Wednesday,” his Honda World Superbike team said in a statement overnight.
“Nicky passed away at 19.09 (local time) this evening at Maurizio Bufalini hospital in Cesena. His fiancee Jackie, mother Rose and brother Tommy were at his side.”
MotoGP Legend Nicky Hayden sadly passed away, 5 days after the American was involved in a collision with a car whilst cycling on the Riviera di Rimini last week.
MotoGP promoters Dorna joined in tributes from across the world of motorsport for the “Kentucky Kid” who won the 2006 world title for Honda.
“A true champion on and off track, Hayden will be deeply missed,” they said.
“Hayden will be deeply missed by the paddocks he has graced throughout an incredible career, his millions of fans around the world, and by all those closest to him.”
Hayden last raced in the MotoGP championship in Spain in September 2016 as a stand-in for injured Australian Jack Miller at the privately-run Marc VDS Honda team. He started 216 races between 2003 and 2015, winning three.
“Although this is obviously a sad time, we would like everyone to remember Nicky at his happiest — riding a motorcycle,” said his brother Tommy in the team statement.
“He dreamed as a kid of being a pro rider and not only achieved that but also managed to reach the pinnacle of his chosen sport in becoming world champion. We are all so proud of that.”
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, team and colleagues as we sadly bid farewell to the “Kentucky Kid”
