Nicky Hayden, the 35 year old former Moto GP champion, has died from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. Five days ago, he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in Italy. He was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries, according to Fox Sports. The doctors believed he required surgery to release pressure inside his skull, but were not comfortable operating until he was more stable. Autosport says that initial reports said that Hayden had suffered a cerebral edema and several bone fractures.
Hayden, nicknamed "The Kentucky Kid," won the 2006 MotoGP championship with Repsol Honda. He most recently raced in the World Superbike series.
Tributes have been pouring in:
This has always been my favorite image of Nicky Hayden. Godspeed, Kentucky Kid. pic.twitter.com/xeiPQUlJm1
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) May 22, 2017
Saddened by the news that Nicky Hayden has passed. Honored to have met him. My heart goes out to his family and friends across the world.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 22, 2017
Nicky Hayden - the backyard racer who conquered the world.
Read our profile of "the nicest guy in the paddock".https://t.co/OfwSefNACZ pic.twitter.com/bA9kRtOEIb
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/MotoGP/status/866723766654574592