Sad day for Malaysians

THE death of former MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden on Monday had left many of his fans in Malaysia in mourning.

Malaysian World Superbike rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin recalled sweet memories of him with Hayden back in 2014 when they rode together in Putrajaya for the MotoGP pre-event.

American Hayden, 35, died at an Italian hospital five days after being hit by a car while bicycling as part of his training on the Rimini coast.

“I had known him since 2014 and we grew closer.

“He was a really nice guy and I think a lot of his fans in Malaysia are bikers and they loved him because he came up with so many helmet replicas plus the man had his own style.”

Zulfahmi said he was blessed and honoured to have known Hayden as they both took the same steps in their career.

“We chatted a lot because I’m racing in Superbike, and he was there too and basically our careers were on the same path.

“We left MotoGP at the same time and we moved to Superbike at the same time, sharing the same paddock.

“I still can’t believe he’s gone because it seems like just yesterday we were in deep conversation about riding.”

Zulfahmi, 25, recalled Hayden giving him advice on avoiding getting arm pump, or Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome (CECS).

He had suffered from arm pump last month which saw him recording a DNF (Did Not Finish) at the race in Assen, Netherlands.

“I spoke to him (Hayden) about arm pump and he gave me advice on how to avoid it,” said Zulfahmi.

Hayden, known as the Kentucky Kid, suffered trauma to his head, chest and abdomen after colliding with the car. Farah Azharie