CESENA, Italy (AP) -- American motorcycle racer Nicky Hayden died, the Maurizio Bufalini Hospital announced on Monday, five days after he was hit by a car while training on his bicycle. Hayden was 35.
Last week, the hospital announced Hayden had severe cerebral damage and multiple traumatic injuries.
“The medical team has verified the death of the patient Nicholas Patrick Hayden, who has been undergoing care since last Wednesday May 17 in the intensive care unit of the Bufalini Hospital in Cesena following a very serious polytrauma which occurred the same day,” the hospital statement said.
Hayden, who was in Italy following a race at nearby Imola, was transported to the Bufalini facility following the incident on the Rimini coast on Wednesday.
The black Peugeot car that hit Hayden had its front windshield smashed. Judicial authorities have opened an investigation into the incident and questioned the 30-year-old driver of the Peugeot.
Hayden won the MotoGP title in 2006, finishing narrowly ahead of Italian great Valentino Rossi.
In a MotoGP career spanning 2003-16 with Honda and Ducati, Hayden posted three victories and 28 podium finishes in 218 races.
After switching to the World Superbike championship last year, Hayden finished fifth in the 2016 standings.
Hayden was 13th in Superbike this season, riding for the Red Bull Honda team.
He raced in six of the eight Red Bull Indianapolis GP events at IMS from 2008 -15. Hayden finished on the podium in his first two starts at IMS.
IMS President J. Douglas Boles said everyone at the Speedway mourns the loss of Hayden.
"When you met Nicky, you immediately felt you had known him for years. His humility and sincerity always made genuine connections with everyone, as he truly was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet in racing. Nicky was a tireless ambassador for MotoGP at the Speedway and a passionate supporter of all events at IMS." said Boles.
.@NickyHayden - a champion in our hearts forever. @IMS will miss you dearly. Thoughts and prayers to your family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/1M295AvSfY
— Ind. Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 22, 2017
Man...Nicky LOVED @IMS. #RIPKentuckyKid pic.twitter.com/o4El2EsSYo
— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) May 22, 2017
I thought this 2008 @IMS photo shoot with Nicky Hayden was one of the coolest I'd seen. Godspeed. pic.twitter.com/ViITwbnEK2
— Jake Query (@jakequery) May 22, 2017
Known as "The Kentucky Kid," Hayden was born in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Several family members had flown in from the United States, including Hayden’s mother and brother.
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