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Nicky Hayden, "The Kentucky Kid," passed away today

Drew Franklinby:Drew Franklin05/22/17

DrewFranklinKSR

Some sad news to report today as Kentuckian and national MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden passed away five days after he was involved in a cycling accident.

In case you missed the story, Hayden, from Owensboro, Ky., was struck by a car while bicycling on the side of the road in Italy during a training exercise along the Rimini coastline. He suffered head and chest injuries in the accident and was placed in an induced coma. His death was announced by the hospital Monday afternoon.

A statement from the hospital read, “The medical team has verified the death of the patient Nicholas Patrick Hayden, who has been undergoing care since last Wednesday 17 May in the intensive care unit of the Bufalini Hospital in Cesena following a very serious polytrauma which occurred the same day.”

Nicknamed “The Kentucky Kid,” Hayden was one of the most decorated Americans in his sport, and the last American to win the MotoGP World Championship, the premier class of motorcycle road racing. He had fans all over the world, including Michael Jordan and Brad Pitt.

He was only 35 years young.

Rest in peace, Kentucky Kid.

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