Casey Stoner's touching tribute to Nicky Hayden
Aussie MotoGP rider Casey Stoner has paid tribute to former teammate Nicky Hayden, the former world champion who 'never stopped smiling'.
Hayden, nicknamed "the Kentucky kid", died aged 35 on Tuesday after suffering severe cerebral damage and multiple traumatic injuries in an accident in Cesena in northern Italy.
He was riding his bicycle when he was hit by a car and subsequently transported to Bufalini hospital on the Rimini coast last Wednesday.
Stoner was teammates with Hayden when both rode for Honda in 2006, but the Aussie says the late American always had time for him.
"He always gave me a lot of time," Stoner said on Wednesday. "Even when I was in the lower categories and he was already in MotoGP.
"He was always happy to stop for a chat and that never stopped throughout the whole of his career.
"He never stopped smiling even when times were tough for him.
"He’s somebody that we’re really going to miss, no one ever really had anything bad to say about him."
Motorsport figures Lewis Hamilton, Dani Pedrosa, Marc Marquez, Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Cal Crutchlow took to social media following the news of Hayden's death.
Thankful for the time that I was privileged to know you! #RIPNickyHayden #Legend Pray for his family during this time🙏 We'll miss you mate! pic.twitter.com/oV40J7ykTE
— Casey Stoner (@Official_CS27) May 22, 2017
Dear Nicky, you will be missed. May God hold you high, you are forever in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers to you and your loved ones. pic.twitter.com/QSGH1xusWU
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) May 22, 2017
A beautiful person, genuine and real.
RIP mate. pic.twitter.com/UiDwzhe67N— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) May 22, 2017
Always in my heart, champ. RIP Nicky. #69 pic.twitter.com/ML35Qm7f1g
— Dani Pedrosa (@26_DaniPedrosa) May 22, 2017
Destrozado tras la noticia. Nunca te olvidaremos! / I'm shattered after the news. We will never forget you! #DEPNickyHayden #RIPNickyHayden pic.twitter.com/qF5wNnFM6o
— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) May 22, 2017
R.I.P @NickyHayden . My thoughts are with his family. Muita Força a sua família @NickyHayden 🙏🏻 dia muito triste para o esporte !!! pic.twitter.com/xAaAkEgDV5
— Felipe Massa (@MassaFelipe19) May 22, 2017
Totally shocked... Another one of the good guys gone way too soon. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this terrible time.. https://t.co/ozmbKa5Hba
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) May 22, 2017
Hayden won the MotoGP title in 2006, finishing narrowly ahead of Italian great Valentino Rossi.
In a MotoGP career spanning 2003-16 with Honda and Ducati, Hayden posted three victories and 28 podium finishes in 218 races.
After switching to the World Superbike championship last year, Hayden finished fifth in the 2016 standings.
with AAP