Hayden in 'very critical' unchanged condition
ByAutoSport
Published 21/05/2017 at 10:48 GMT
World Superbike Championship rider and 2006 MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden remains in a "very critical" and unchanged condition in hospital in Italy, following his cycling accident on Wednesday.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Hayden was struck by a car while riding in Rimini and ultimately transferred to the Bufalini Hospital in Cesena.
The 35-year-old remained in intensive care on Sunday, having suffered severe brain damage.
An update from the hospital confirmed "Nicky Hayden's condition remains very critical and the clinical picture is unchanged" as of 12pm CEST on Sunday.
MotoGP riders and teams are carrying messages of support for Hayden during this weekend's French Grand Prix at Le Mans.
LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow conceded: "You can't blank it out.
"He's a friend of nearly everybody in this paddock.
"It seems for everyone it's the last thing you think about before you go to bed and the first thing you check in the morning to see if there is an update.
"It's just a sad situation. What I've always loved about Nicky is that he races motorcycle because he loves racing motorcycles.
"You don't need to race a motorcycle, that's for sure.
"He went, I'm not saying back to WorldSBK in a downgraded way, but he could have easily stopped.
"He had a great career in MotoGP and could have stayed at home, but he loves racing motorcycles.
"And he's out cycling because he races motorcycles."
Hayden's friend and former team-mate Valentino Rossi said he hoped Sunday's 28-lap race would be a show fitting of the man who made 217 MotoGP starts between 2003 and '16.
"It's something that you have always in your head, but unfortunately we cannot do nothing," he said.
"The only thing that we can do is try to concentrate, try to make a good race and the best result as possible.
"Unfortunately anyway is not very important for Nicky... but dedicate to him a good race."
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