The following year, the “Kentucky Kid” became the MotoGP™ World Champion as he beat Valentino Rossi to the premier class crown, securing the title in the last round of the year in Valencia.
More podiums followed in 2004 before Hayden took his first pole and Grand Prix victory at Laguna Seca in 2005. He took two podiums that year, at Motegi and Phillip Island, as a rookie. Next came the AMA Superbike crown in 2002 – becoming the youngest rider to achieve the feat – before a move to the MotoGP™ World Championship for 2003. A true competitor with an incredible commitment to his sport, and a true family man dedicated to the people around him.įirst riding on the dirt in his native USA, Hayden then continued his career on tarmac and was crowned AMA Supersport Champion in 1999. WorldSBK race winner, MotoGP™ Legend, 2006 World Champion, fiancé, uncle, brother, son, friend or simply the “Kentucky Kid” who rose from American dirt track to the absolute pinnacle of his sport, Hayden was known for many things to many people, and put his name to an astounding number achievements both within racing and beyond its limits – key amongst which was his moniker as ‘the nicest man in Grand Prix racing’. A true Champion on and off track, Hayden will be deeply missed. WorldSBK star Nicky Hayden sadly passed away on Monday 22 nd May, after the American was involved in a collision with a car whilst cycling on the Riviera di Rimini last week.
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