VOL. 54 ISSUE 20 MAY 23, 2017 P119
Nicky
HAYDEN
N
icky Hayden, the last American to be crowned
MotoGP World Champion, died Monday, May
22 at Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena,
Italy, after being struck by a car while riding his road
bicycle, Wednesday, May 17. The news of Hayden's
accident set off a massive reaction on social media.
Fans and well-wishers from across the globe sent
messages of hope, prayers and support for Hayden
using the hashtag #GoNicky. Unfortunately, his
injuries ultimately proved too severe.
Prior to Hayden's passing, seven-time MotoGP
Champion Valentino Rossi shared his thoughts on his
friend and former rival Thursday in a statement:
"Nicky is one of the best friends I have had in the
paddock. We were teammates in his rookie year in
2003, when he was a young guy making his debut
in his first European experience. That season ended
with the World Championship for me and with his
first visit to the podium, at Phillip Island. After a few
BY LARRY LAWRENCE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN J NELSON, GOLD & GOOSE AND BERT SHEPARD
The ecstasy of
victory. Nicky took
his first MotoGP
victory at Laguna
Seca in 2005 in
front of an adoring
home crowd.
