The Racing World Mourns the Passing of Nicky Hayden

Nicky Hayden was once a K&N-sponsored flat track racer

Nicky was bicycling in Rimini, Italy, when he was in a collision with a car. He was 35.

Nicky, “The Kentucky Kid,” was one of greatest modern American motorcycle racers. He was the last American to win the MotoGP World Championship (2006), which is the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing. More recently, Nicky was competing for Honda on the World Superbike circuit.

The outpouring of sympathy from the motorcycling world has had a common theme. Everyone from fellow racing champions like Valentino Rossi, to the fans who interacted with Nicky in the paddock have echoed that he was a genuine and kind individual, as well as an amazing ambassador to the sport he loved.

Hayden was one of the most decorated American motorcycle racers (Photo: Red Bull Honda)

“Nicky my brother, our story wasn’t suppose to end like this. You were world champ for a reason. I’ve never met someone with the desire for racing bikes like you.

“I remember growing up we shared a room and you studying notes you took from the previous race and we were 12-13 years old, I’ll never forget the Monday morning after you won the World Championship, you woke me up to go running. That’s what separated you from the rest and made you a legend. I could go on.

“You made everyone here better, cause when you wasn’t here, we were riding or cycling to close the gap for when we road with you again,. You pushed me to my best, but more importantly I’ll remember what kind of brother you were. You were legend of a racer and a brother.

The touching photo that Roger Hayden mentioned in his tribute to his brother

“Don’t worry I got the nieces handled. No boyfriends till they’re in college and I’ll teach the nephews what it takes to be a champion in whatever they decide.

“This picture is special to me, because after some bad luck and it looked like your world title was over, I grabbed you like this and told you it was still your year, and that was the first thing you did to me when I saw you at the podium. Tell me it back.

“Even during this incredibly difficult time I still have my faith, I believe if god will bring you to it, he will bring you through it. Till we ride again I love you.”