One year on, MotoGP paddock remembers Hayden

Bengaluru, May 22: Glowing tributes poured in as the MotoGP paddock remembered former world champion Nicky Hayden who passed away exactly a year ago.

The 2006 FIM MotoGP world champion, who rose from American dirt track to the absolute pinnacle of his sport, was a man of varied interests.

Hayden was known for many things to many people, and put his name to an astounding number of achievements both within racing and beyond its limits.

Last year, the American, who was fondly referred to as the 'Kentucky Kid' in paddock circles succumbed to injuries sustained in a cycling crash near Misano world circuit.

The 36-year old was then reportedly hit by a car while training on his bicycle between Tavoleto and Riccione, south of the seaside resort of Rimini.

He was admitted in intensive care with severe brain damage since he was struck by a car. The force of the impact shattered the car windscreen. Five days later, his fiancee Jackie, mother Rose and brother Tommy were at his side when Hayden breathed his last at the Maurizio Bufalini hospital in Cesena.

One year on, the paddock remembered Hayden in many ways.

Remembering Nicky Hayden one year on 🙏

A great champion, and an even better man. #RideOnKentuckyKid pic.twitter.com/qVjoTWPsIW
— MotoGP™🇫🇷🏁 (@MotoGP) May 22, 2018

Misano have commissioned the Nicky Hayden Memorial Garden near the location of the accident, overseen by Hayden's friend and former mechanic, Denis Pazzaglini.

The Circuit of the Americas have named Turn 18 'Hayden Hill', and photographer Mirco Lazzarri had an exhibition at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola featuring 69 photos of the number 69.

In addition, his hometown of Owensboro, will be unveiling a sculpture of Hayden on June 8. The statue recreates the American's celebratory lap of Laguna Seca following his Championship-year victory there with Honda on July 23, 2006.

Mayor Tom Watson will then read a proclamation declaring the following day - June 9, or 6/9 - Nicky Hayden Day, an incredible way to remember - and celebrate - the life of "the nicest man in Grand Prix racing."

Reigning world champion Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda took to Twitter to pay homage to Hayden.

Un año sin ti Nicky. Siempre con nosotros! 🙏🏼
One year without you #NickyHayden. Always with us!#RideOnKentuckyKid #NH69 pic.twitter.com/3b2uadcsf3
— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) May 22, 2018

Hayden, who had 216 starts, won just three Grands Prix in MotoGP -- all in 2005-06 -- but he famously took the world title that season after fighting tooth-and-nail with Valentino Rossi's Yamaha.

Hayden who competed both for Honda and Ducati, last raced in the MotoGP championship in Spain in September, 2016, as a stand-in for injured Australian Jack Miller at the privately-run Marc VDS Honda team. He also had stints in World Superbike Championship and World Supersport Championship.