Honda and Michelin pay tribute to Nicky Hayden

Hayden winning the 2006 MotoGP title for Honda

Nicky Hayden was an HRC rider for much of his racing career, achieving many successes both in his home country and internationally. Nicky won the 1999 AMA Supersport Championship and the 2002 AMA Superbike Championship with American Honda and the 2006 MotoGP World Championship with Repsol Honda. Last year he moved to World Superbike Championship with Ten Kate Honda, winning a race in his first season.

Yesterday’s terrible news of the loss of the much-loved American due to the consequences of a cycling accident in Rimini, Italy, on Wednesday May 17, is a terrible blow for the entire motorcycling community and for everyone at HRC.

Yoshishige Nomura, HRC President
“On behalf of all HRC employees and our racing teams, I wish to express my deepest condolences to Nicky Hayden’s family, his fiancée and his many friends.

Nicky has been such a close friend and member of the HRC family that it’s very hard to believe he is gone. Together we won two AMA titles and the 2006 MotoGP crown, and until his accident he was giving 100 percent to bring success to the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team.

Nicky was a great rider and champion but he was an even better person. We always had the utmost respect for his racing spirit and for the commitment he showed on every occasion, while his charming character made him a favorite with the entire motorcycling world and race fans everywhere.

At HRC we will never forget Nicky, who was very much one of us. Everyone at HRC is deeply saddened, but we will remember the many special memories we shared together with him. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family during this difficult moment."

MICHELIN MOURNS THE PASSING OF A MOTOGP LEGEND

Hayden subbing for Pedrosa at Phillips Island in 2016

It is with deep regret and heartfelt condolences that Michelin marks the untimely death of former MotoGP™ World Champion Nicky Hayden.

The 35-year-old from Owensboro, Kentucky in America was cycling near the Misano World Circuit in Italy on Wednesday 17th May when he was involved in a collision with a car. He was treated at the scene and taken to the local hospital before being transferred to Bufalini Hospital in Cesena. Following examinations the initial diagnosis said Hayden had suffered serious cerebral damage and polytrauma. Unfortunately he succumbed to those injuries on Monday evening, local time, with his mother Rose, brother Tommy and Nicky’s fiancée Jackie at his bedside.

Hayden joined the MotoGP paddock in 2003 on a Michelin-shod Repsol Honda following flat-track and road-racing circuit success in America. It was this footing that led him to taking the ultimate motorcycling prize when he won the 2006 World Championship, an honor which also confirmed his place in Michelin’s history as the final World Champion for the French company prior to the single tire rule. It was also this victory that led to ‘The Kentucky Kid’ – as he was affectionately known – being inducted into the MotoGP Legends in 2015.

The news of Hayden’s death sent shockwaves through the racing community and transcends beyond that arena of sport. Michelin sends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and current racing team, the Red Bull Honda World Superbike team in WSBK. He was a true competitor, a friendly and likable human being and will be sorely missed in paddocks around the world.

Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Patrick Hayden 1981-2017 a MotoGP legend taken too early #RideOnKentuckyKid

[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]Pascal Couasnon – Director of Michelin Motorsport:
“We are all shocked and saddened by the news that Nicky has died. He was a great competitor, a true champion and a very warm and friendly person. Michelin was honored to work with him in MotoGP and his World Championship in 2006 has a special place in the company’s history. He will be a big loss to motorcycle racing, his family and friends. On behalf of everyone at Michelin, and from me personally, we send our sincere condolences."