MotoGP Legend Nicky Hayden died in hospital five days after colliding with a car while training on his bicycle in Italy. The 35-year-old was laid to rest in his home town of Owensboro, Kentucky, on 29 May.
In a moving display of selflessness, Hayden’s family allowed members of the public to form a procession of motorcycles ahead of the coffin while countless others lined the streets to farewell the likeable rider.
Overseas fans were invited to attend online, with the funeral service streamed live on the late racer’s Facebook page.
A heartfelt tribute to Hayden was also heard at the Donington Park round of the World Superbike Championship, as the paddock and fans said goodbye to a hugely popular rider. Teams, marshals, media and pitlane guests lined up on one side of the startline and the fans on the other to pay tribute in the form of a minute’s silence, with his Red Bull Honda WSBK crew and management standing around Nicky’s bike. His Honda Fireblade bearing the famous number 69 was installed in his garage in its usual place over the race weekend.
Nicky’s family has set up the Nicky Hayden Memorial Fund to support children in the local community and carry on work close to the racer’s heart.
By Kel Buckley &Gordon Ritchie
