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"It is with great sadness that Red Bull Honda... has to
announce that Nicky Hayden has succumbed to injuries suffered
during an incident while riding his bicycle last Wednesday," the
team said.
"Nicky passed away at 19.09 (local time) this evening at
Maurizio Bufalini hospital in Cesena. His fiancee Jackie, mother
Rose and brother Tommy were at his side."
The 35-year-old had been in intensive care with severe brain
damage since he was struck by a car while training on his
bicycle along Italy's Adriatic Coast.
The force of the impact shattered the car windscreen.
MotoGP promoters Dorna joined in tributes from across the world
of motorsport for the 'Kentucky Kid' who won the 2006 world
title for Honda.
"A true Champion on and off track, Hayden will be deeply
missed," they said.
"Hayden will be deeply missed by the paddocks he has graced
throughout an incredible career, his millions of fans around the
world, and by all those closest to him."
The last medical bulletin from the hospital, dated May 20, said
Hayden remained in a critical condition. The hospital had
previously said he had suffered serious brain damage in the
accident.
Hayden last raced in the MotoGP championship in Spain in
September 2016 as a stand-in for injured Australian Jack Miller
at the privately-run Marc VDS Honda team. He started 216 races
between 2003 and 2015, winning three.
"Although this is obviously a sad time, we would like everyone
to remember Nicky at his happiest - riding a motorcycle," said
his brother Tommy in the team statement.
"He dreamed as a kid of being a pro rider and not only achieved
that but also managed to reach the pinnacle of his chosen sport
in becoming world champion. We are all so proud of that."
Italian newspapers reported on Monday that investigators had
found video of the accident from a camera on a house overlooking
the road.
They said the images suggested Hayden had failed to stop at an
intersection and was hit full on by the passing car.
There was no immediate confirmation of the report from the
investigators.
(Reporting by Crispian Balmer/Alan Baldwin; Editing by Ken
Ferris)
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