The former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden died in a hospital in Cesena, Italy on Monday, five days after he was hit by a car while training on his bicycle. Hayden was 35.
Hayden was training on the Rimini coast after a motorcycle race at nearby Imola. The front windshield of the black Peugeot that hit Hayden was smashed in the accident. The authorities have opened an investigation and questioned the car’s 30-year-old driver.
Hayden won the MotoGP title in 2006, finishing narrowly ahead of Valentino Rossi of Italy. In a MotoGP career spanning 2003 to 2016 with Honda and Ducati, he posted three victories and 28 podium finishes in 218 races.
After switching to the World Superbike championship last year, Hayden finished fifth over all.
He was 13th in Superbike this season, riding for the Red Bull Honda team.