Nicky Hayden RIP 1981-2017

[BobbyMac]

One of my all time favorite sports figured passed away today after succumbing to injuries he sustained last week while training on a bicycle in Italy. Nicky was from Owensboro, KY and I followed his career starting on dirt ovals when he was a teen. I was fortunate to see him win the USGP at Laguna Seca in '06, the year he went on to win the world title. The last American to be a road racing world champion.

I don't talk to much about personal stuff on here but Chris Cornell and Nicky Hayden have made for a rough few days. #RideOnKentuckyKid

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“The Kentucky Kid” passes from injuries…America just lost our greatest MotoGP rider, Nicky Hayden <a href="https://t.co/KoQ6ek1ke9">https://t.co/KoQ6ek1ke9</a> <a href="https://t.co/3vO4zL5fKi">pic.twitter.com/3vO4zL5fKi</a></p>— theCHIVE (@theCHIVE) <a href="https://twitter.com/theCHIVE/status/866782996522827776">May 22, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This has always been my favorite image of Nicky Hayden. Godspeed, Kentucky Kid. <a href="https://t.co/xeiPQUlJm1">pic.twitter.com/xeiPQUlJm1</a></p>— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNMcGee/status/866692128356925442">May 22, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Honoring <a href="https://twitter.com/NickyHayden">@NickyHayden</a> tonight on <a href="https://twitter.com/IMS">@IMS</a> Pylon. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RideOnKentuckyKid?src=hash">#RideOnKentuckyKid</a> <a href="https://t.co/q0wLKIVIb5">pic.twitter.com/q0wLKIVIb5</a></p>— Ind. Motor Speedway (@IMS) <a href="https://twitter.com/IMS/status/866783081516195840">May 22, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Valpodoc85]

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!” -Hunter S Thompson.

Pisser he was killed riding a bicycle....

 

[blueNDgold44]

My father is a huge GP fan and fan of the whole Hayden family, we were fortunate enough to briefly meet Nicky at the GP race in Indy and he was so humble and a kind soul. Horrible to see him go so early. RIP to the Kentucky Kid.

 

[Fbolt]

Huge loss. I followed the Kentucky Kid for years-him, along with Rossi and the Texas Tornado (whom I met in Sepang a few years ago, the same year Simoncelli died in front of my grandstand seat). Sad day as he was truly a great rep for moto spots and seemed like a genuine guy.