The Racing World Mourns the Passing of Nicky Hayden

Nicky Hayden racing as a K&N-sponsored flat track rider

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

K&N sends sincere condolences to the entire Hayden family on the passing of champion motorcycle racer Nicky Hayden. Nicky was once sponsored by K&N when he was a professional flat track racer, and his brother Roger Hayden is part of the K&N-sponsored Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike Team.

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 in his Red Bull Honda leathers

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

Roger, the youngest of the three brothers in the legendary Hayden racing family, wrote a touching tribute to Nicky on Instagram after the tragedy. It read:

“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.

Roger and Nicky Hayden after Nicky's 2006 MotoGP victory

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

“You were there for me no matter what was going on in life. You wanted to help, I’m glad you were able to see me at my best these past couple years, not just on the bike, but mainly off it. I can sit here and ask why all day, but instead I want to be thankful for having a brother like you for 33 years.

“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.”

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