EX-MOTOGP CHAMPION NICKY HAYDEN DIES AT 35

Nicky suffered ‘serious cerebral damage’ and had been in the intensive care unit of Cesena’s Maurizio Bufalini Hospital

Former Motogp champion Nicky Hayden has died aged 35, five days after being involved in a crash while cycling.

The American collided with a car on the Rimini coastline in Italy on May 17.

He suffered “serious cerebral damage” and had been in the intensive care unit of Cesena’s Maurizio Bufalini Hospital.

Hayden, who competed in the World Superbike Championship in Italy on May 14, won the Motogp champion- ship in 2006.

A hospital statement issued on Thursday said Hayden had suffered “a serious polytrauma”, which is a medical term to describe the condition of a person who has multiple traumatic injuries.

The Kentucky-born racer first competed in Motogp in 2003 and finished third in the standings two years later. He ended Valentino Rossi’s fiveyear winning streak in 2006 following a dramatic final race in Valencia.

Hayden had been eight points adrift of Rossi heading into the decider, but saw the Italian slide out on lap five and eventually finish in 13th place. Hayden’s third-place finish allowed him to take the title by five points.

He remains the last American to win the premier class of motorcycle road racing.

Hayden won the Motogp title in 2006, finishing narrowly ahead of Italian great Valentino Rossi.

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

Several family members had flown in from the United States, including Hayden’s mother and brother.