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MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden in critical condition after road accident

FIM Superbike World Championship - Race 2

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 14: Nicky Hayden of USA and Red Bull Honda World Superbike team prepares to start on the grid during the Race 2 during the FIM Superbike World Championship - Race 2 at Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit on May 14, 2017 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

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2006 MotoGP world champion and current World Superbikes Championship rider Nicky Hayden is reportedly in critical condition following a road accident on Wednesday in Italy.

Hayden, 34, was out training on his bicycle in the Rimini province when he was struck by a car, leaving him with chest and head trauma.

According to a report from Rimini Today, Hayden was treated on-site and stabilized before being transferred to the local hospital, Ospedale Infermi Rimini, where he remains in a critical condition. The official World Superbike website also added that emergency services were called to the scene before his being transported to hospital.

His Honda Superbike team provided an official update within the hour.

Known as ‘The Kentucky Kid’, Hayden is America’s most recent MotoGP world champion, claiming the title in 2006 with Honda.

Hayden also raced for Ducati before moving into WSBK last year, claiming one race win for Honda en route to fifth place in the riders’ championship.

UPDATE, 2:15 p.m. ET: The official MotoGP Twitter account released an update as of 8 p.m. CET that Hayden was transported to the Cesena hospital for further treatment and possible surgery.

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