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​Former MotoGP Champion Nicky Hayden Dies At 35

​Former MotoGP Champion Nicky Hayden Dies At 35

RIP.

James Dawson

James Dawson

Nicky Hayden has died, the Maurizio Bufalini Hospital have announced, after he was hit by a car while cycling on Wednesday afternoon last week in Italy.

The statement said: "The medical college has confirmed the death of the patient Nicholas Patrick Hayden, recovering from Wednesday May 17 in a hospital intensive care unit of Cesena Bufalini as a result of serious multiple injuries occurred on that date."

The 2006 MotoGP champion had been held in the Intensive Care unit of the Cesena hospital following the incident, in which he suffered serious polytrauma with 'serious cerebral damage'. He had been placed into a medically induced coma.

The black Peugeot car that hit Hayden had its front windshield smashed and authorities have opened an investigation into the incident and questioned the 30-year-old driver.

Hayden, who had competed in the World Superbike Championship in Italy in the week prior to the accident, won the MotoGP championship in 2006.

Hayden upset the odds to claim the 2006 MotoGP, edging Valentino Rossi to the title to end the Italian's five-year streak of wins, in what remains one of the most memorable years in the motor sport's history.

After news of Hayden's accident broke last week, Rossi paid tribute to his competitor and described him as 'one of the best friends I've ever had in the paddock'.

Hayden was 13th in Superbike this season, riding for the Red Bull Honda team.

He is last American to win the premier class of motorcycle road racing, having been born in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

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