WSBK – The motorcycle world (and not only) mourns the death of Nicky Hayden –

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The motorcycle world (and not only) mourns the death of Nicky Hayden

WSBK - The motorcycle world (and not only) mourns the death of Nicky Hayden -

The dreaded outcome unfortunately occurred on Monday evening: Nicky Hayden died at Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena (Italy), five days after being hit by a car during a bicycle training near Rimini. The former 2006 MotoGP world champion was 35 years old. His relatives and peers pay tribute to him, as well as athletes from all walks of life. Black notebook…

American rider Nicky Hayden, nicknamed the "Kentucky Kid", died at the end of the day on Monday 22 May following his bicycle accident the previous Wednesday between Tavoleto and Riccione, south of Rimini (Italy). The n ° 69, the first rider to have dethroned Valentino Rossi in MotoGP in 2006, was struck by a car in circumstances not yet clarified.

  • MNC of May 22, 2017 – 

Urgently transported to Maurizio Bufalini hospital in Cesena (Italy) in a critical condition, the official Honda rider in WSBK suffered from serious injuries to the thorax and presented above all a worrying "severe poly-trauma having caused serious damage cerebral, "said doctors in the intensive care unit. The next day, the hospital specified that the American was suffering from a significant cerebral hemorrhage, very difficult to operate because of its severity and the pilot’s state of weakness..

WSBK - The motorcycle world (and not only) mourns the death of Nicky Hayden -

Since these alarming announcements, the motorcycling world has been hoping for positive news, with its former MotoGP rivals in turn sending them heartfelt – and often moving – wishes for recovery from the disputed weekend. Sadly, the situation has not improved for the Owensboro native and his devastating smile, who died after five days of fighting surrounded by his fiancee, his mother and his older brother. Nicky would have celebrated her 36th birthday on July 30.

"Let everyone remember Nicky in her happiest moments on a motorcycle"

"On behalf of the entire Hayden family and Nicky’s fiancee, Jackie, I would like to thank everyone for the messages of support which have been of great comfort to us knowing that Nicky has positively touched so many people," said Tommy Hayden, also bitten by the motorcycle racing virus, particularly virulent in the Hayden family. 

“Although it was a sad moment, we would like everyone to remember Nicky in his happiest moments on a motorcycle. From an early age he dreamed of being a professional rider. He succeeded, but he also reached the heights of his sport by becoming world champion. We are all proud of that. ". 

WSBK - The motorcycle world (and not only) mourns the death of Nicky Hayden -

“Besides these ‘public’ memories, we will also have some great and happy ones from Nicky at home in Kentucky, in the heart of his family. He will be sorely missed. It is important for us to thank all the staff at the hospital for her amazing support, they have all been very nice to us. With the support of the authorities over the next few days, we hope to have Nicky in the house very soon ", concludes the Kentucky Kid’s brother.

Tributes from the motorcycle world

As soon as the dreaded announcement of his death became official, tributes multiplied to Nicky Hayden, one of the most popular motorcycle riders in the paddock and fans for his sincerity, courage, talent and modesty. Despite his record and his title of 2006 MotoGP world champion, the American has never taken the "big head" or allowed himself to express his opinion indiscriminately, as some champions too often do..

WSBK - The motorcycle world (and not only) mourns the death of Nicky Hayden -

"Every motorcycle rider and fans around the world should be like this guy," Cal Crutchlow aptly sums up, in tribute "to the best professional I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, sharing a track and d ‘to have as a friend’. Words tinged with real sincerity and deep sorrow, commensurate with the affection for No. 69 by all those who had the pleasure of meeting him. Including the drafting of MNC, also very touched by this tragedy…

MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports has posted a retrospective video on his Facebook page on his years in the premier class, from his arrival in 2003 alongside Valentino Rossi to his title won in the final in Valencia three years more late facing the same man, then moved to Yamaha. "A great champion and an even better man", underlines Dorna to designate the one who rode alongside Stoner at Ducati from 2009. 

After five seasons with the Reds, the n ° 69 (chosen because "we read it whatever the direction of the bike", used to explain laughing his father Earl, in reference to the falls of his son when he started on clay) regained the Honda colors in satellite teams with mixed success, before leaving MotoGP in 2015 to join the World Superbike.

  • [Video] 

Dani Pedrosa, Hayden’s teammate at HRC from 2006 to 2008, mourns the loss of a champion who will be "always in his heart", while Jorge Lorenzo says to himself "so sad I can’t believe life can be so cruel ". Casey Stoner thanks the American for "the time I had the privilege of knowing you", before adding a prayer for his family (all tributes below). 

Same emotion for Marc Marquez, current MotoGP title holder, appalled by the news, which ensures "that we will never forget you", while Max Biaggi adds that Nicky "will always be missed". Stefan Bradl, teammate of # 69 on the CBR1000RR in WSBK, said he was "deeply touched and saddened: it was an honor to share the box with you. All my thoughts to your family". 

A great sportsman and a true gentleman, appreciated on and off the circuits 

The HRC evokes for its part a "great sportsman, a true gentleman and a friend. We will never forget you. Our hearts and our thoughts are with your family and your friends", affirms the official Honda team. "Humble, funny, professional and strong: you were really a good guy", cries Andrea Iannone, official Suzuki rider. 

Loris Baz, Ducati Avintia rider, will remember the American’s "huge smile" and regrets that "another giant has left too soon". The Haut-Savoyard probably thinks of his compatriot, in whose honor he wore a specific helmet during the French Grand Prix.

WSBK - The motorcycle world (and not only) mourns the death of Nicky Hayden -

Finally, let us also mention the tributes paid by personalities outside the world of motorcycles, such as those expressed by the Italian football clubs of AS Roma and AC Milan or by cycling champion Chris Froome, winner of the Tour de France 2013, 2015 and 2016. It should be noted that many pro cyclists were moved by the death of Nicky Hayden, calling on motorists to be more careful and attentive, sometimes quite harshly…

"Damn, but you will understand that we are the weakest on the road! It is our life which is at stake", enraged the Italian cyclist Vincenzo Nibali on his Twitter account. These exchanges come as the category also mourns the disappearance in similar circumstances of the Italian cyclist Michele Scarponi – hit by a van during a training in Italy -, and several riders annoyed "clashes" too frequent with cars.

Finally, former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, world endurance car champion in 2015, regrets the disappearance of a "beautiful person, real and authentic" … The entire MNC team joins in the grief of those close to them and parents of Nicky Hayden. Ride in peace, Nicky…

All tributes to Nicky Hayden 

A post shared by Stefan Bradl (@ stefanbradl6) on May 22, 2017 at 10:20 am PDT

A post shared by Cal Crutchlow (@calcrutchlow) on May 22, 2017 at 10:41 am PDT

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