Former Moto GP champion Nicky Hayden has sadly died

Nicky Hayden has passed away after a cycling accident. It’s with very heavy hearts we report his death, almost a week after the former Moto GP world champion was struck by a car while out riding in Italy.

The 35-year-old has succumbed to severe trauma injuries. He’d been on life support in the days following the accident in Rimini, and family had flown in to be by his side.

Hayden lifted the Moto GP trophy in 2006, ahead of Valentino Rossi, who’d won the previous five championships.

In 2016 Hayden moved from Moto GP to the Superbike World Championship with Honda, where his big-time career had started. He’d been racing at Imola the weekend before his accident.

The American rider was nicknamed ‘The Kentucky Kid’, and was liked throughout the paddocks of the championships he raced in. He’ll be sorely missed.

RIP, Nicky.