Nicky Hayden in a coma

[LakeCleElum]

Sad beyond words.....Great guy from a great family.....RIP Nicky.

[shadowjack1]

Rip

[flatbutt]

damn damn damn! RIP young man.

[yellowperil]

I bought my Tissot watch solely because Nicky was a spokesman for them.

I might buy another one now. I think he turned a lot of people on to MotoGP.

RIP,

[arcsine]

I am finding myself just really sad at this news.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by arcsine

I am finding myself just really sad at this news.

I'm torn. Its incredibly sad, but on the other hand the alternative is maybe worse. I know what I would wish for in the circumstances, and I've had plenty of opportunity to think about it.

[rfuerst911sc]

I read online that there is traffic cam video implying that Hayden ran the stop light into the path of the car , possibly because he was looking down at an Ipad or similar device. If true that really makes it sad because it could have been avoided . He was a great talent and way too young to pass .

[sand_man]

^^^ I saw the same.

[intakexhaust]

So sad

Longtime enjoyed watching all of the Hayden brothers.

RIP Nicky

[Steve Carlton]

A video from happier days. Check the turn at 2:20. RIP Nicky!

[Don Ro]

They must have had loving and validating parents...all the boys turned out to be guileless and without major ego.

RIP Nicky Hayden

[motion]

Writing this message from about 80 miles where Nicky passed. I am in complete disbelief that this has happened. I have harassed Nicky at race tracks all over the world for the past 20+ years. I'm always the one yelling NICKY!!!! in various places when I see him and people are otherwise too polite to say anything. I've chatted with him about all sorts of things related to racing over the years. He would never remember who I am, but I will always remember how polite and genteel Nicky was when I pestered him. More than even his amazing racing accomplishments, Nicky is famed the world over for the person that he is. I don't think there's ever been a racer as highly regarded as Nicky. A true ambassador for the American graceful gentleman. Nicky was one in a million. Its a great shame that we don't get to see the next generation of racer from Nicky. His brothers are equally great people, and I hope there is more of this great family to come in the future. A true inspiration for me and to racers and fans everywhere.

Race on, Nicky. I'll always be cheering you on.

[flatbutt]

I met him very briefly once after Laguna, he kept referring to me as "sir", didn't brush me off at all. So sad. I would readily ride to Kentucky to pay my respects at a public memorial.

[sand_man]

Nicky Hayden funeral and memorial fund details announced - MotoGP - Autosport

HAYDEN FAMILY'S OBITUARY IN FULL

Nicholas 'Nicky' Hayden passed away on Monday, May 22, 2017, at the age of 35, following a May 17 bicycle accident in Italy.

Born into a large extended Catholic family in Owensboro, Kentucky, Nicky was the middle child of Earl and Rose Hayden, with two brothers and two sisters.

The entire family loved motorcycles, and shortly after he could walk, Nicky declared that his dream was to be a world champion. Although life on a farm meant that animals - horses, pot-belly pigs, even llamas - were a part of every day, for Nicky they were just novelties, and while he was a natural athlete, childhood sports leagues were little more than a lark.

Racing - for the whole family, but especially for Nicky — was everything. Apart from an annual spring-break jaunt to Panama City, Florida, family trips were to racetracks, first around the Midwest, then the Eastern US, and eventually the entire country.

That said, there was never any doubt about where home was. Even after he began traveling the globe to race in exotic locales, Nicky would always return to his beloved "OWB".

He received his education through local Catholic schools — Precious Blood Elementary School, Owensboro Catholic Middle School and Owensboro Catholic High School — and his first jobs comprised helping out at his uncles' nearby farms, where he began developing the tenacious work ethic for which he would be known throughout his racing career.

He remained close with his core group of childhood friends throughout his life, and he helped many young local racers to pursue their own dreams.

For Nicky, a distinguished amateur dirt track and road racing career transitioned into a successful stint in the AMA Grand National Championship and AMA Superbike series, in which he earned the 1999 AMA Supersport and 2002 AMA Superbike crowns with American Honda.

He was promoted to the FIM MotoGP series with Repsol Honda, for whom he achieved his dream of earning the world championship in 2006. Nicky also rode for Ducati and Aspar Racing in MotoGP, and last year he transitioned to the FIM Superbike World Championship with the Ten Kate squad.

Along the way, his charisma earned him legions of fans the world over, while his dedication and professionalism earned the respect and admiration of his teams, team-mates and competitors.

Among those who knew him best, Nicky was cherished for his generosity, kindness, and mischievous sense of humor. His famous grin was never far from his lips, and he invariably had time to engage with others, even strangers.

The life of any party, Nicky loved to dance, wear funny costumes, and pull pranks, often with a microphone in hand.

Throughout it all, family was Nicky's anchor. Many Americans who race internationally opt to relocate overseas, but Nicky always preferred to return home between events. Well into his professional career, he resided in an apartment above his parents' garage, and even after purchasing his own home nearby, he religiously showed up for his mother's 6 o'clock dinners when he wasn't travelling.

Several years ago, he purchased and refurbished an old building on an Owensboro lake, and what he dubbed Victory Lane Lodge became the family's preferred location for functions of all types, from Sunday get-togethers to weddings. He loved children and was a model uncle, and friends and family say he was never happier than after meeting girlfriend Jackie, with whom he became engaged last year.

Nicky is survived by his parents Earl and Rose; his siblings Tommy, Jennifer, Roger, and Kathleen; his fiancee Jacqueline Marin; nieces Olivia, Klaudia, Vera, Kyla Jo, and Kate; nephew Colt; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

[flatbutt]

WSBK gave nice testimonials to Nicky today and all trophy winners wore his number on the podium.

[sand_man]

Heartbreaking...

[jakebarrell]

It's so sad & unexpected that this accident happened to him!
He was a true legend!
R.I.P Hayden!

[manbridge 74]

Henderson, Texas circa 1991 at now defunct Oak Hill Raceway and I'm wondering why it's taking me more than a corner or two to pass a RS125 with what looks like a small monkey atop it.

Yep, he was fast then and everyone could see that along with all the natural talent and great support he was going nowhere but up.

His father was a very nice gentleman as I recall. Hope it hasn't hit him too hard.