Got to meet and talked to him once. All I can say is he was a VERY down to earth, Humble man that knew how to treat people. Because he passed away on a road bicycle, not the race track, his death was tragic……….. RIP NICKY, YOU ARE VERY MUCH MISSED…
I met him as a young man during his team hyper cycle Suzuki days. You could tell even back then that he was going to be great. R.I.P. Nicky, you are missed and your legacy is Cemented.
That was '97 I believe. Teammates with Jason Pridmore. That team had a few rule violations/DQ's but was just a stepping stone for Nicky. I first met him and Tommy in '93 when Nicky needed help to board his RS125. Colin Edwards was around Tommy's age and won the AMA 250GP Championship in '92.
His Victory at Laguna Seca July 06 was epic. The World Championship returning to American Soil was a True Motorsport moment. I stopped paying attention to Espn when they failed to mention the achievement. A Racer to the core. Factory Super Sport 600cc pilot in his senior year of High School.
I was there spectating. Outside of corkscrew entry. No more than 35 feet from the bikes. Nicky was braking so hard that he was lifting the back wheel. Then as soon as he put the wheel down he’d flick it into that downhill left. Every lap. I don’t remember anyone getting in front of him.
@ShaunHensley what a race, , and what a place to get to see it unfold. Oh, the Good Dr, Rossi tried to no avail. He was taken back to school for a hard lesson. Down through the corkscrew into Rainey...what a sight it must have been. Rossi remembered this lesson and taught it to Casey Stoner later. He didn't like it either. Thanks for sharing.
As a Kentuckian I was very disappointed n our state news on there lack of reporting not only on Nicky H but the Hayden family on what they have accomplished over the yrs & the way they reported on Nicky’s Tragic Death. Nicky & his family Deserved better. N Ky it’s all about Basketball & Horse Racing that’s it. My health wasn’t that good but I still rode my bike to Nicky’s Ceremony that OWB had. Thank U Hayden Family from this Kentuckian Nicky will b n our Hearts❤ RIP KY KID✌️🥃
Such a humble and genuinely good guy. One of a kind. I knew Nicky pretty well from AMA racing in the '90's. Always had time to say hello, always genuine. Big loss. Legend.
I was there in Laguna Seca 2005 for Nicky’s first GP win. I had a paddock pass that weekend and wanted to see Rossi, Nicky was nearby in a golf cart by himself with no one around, could have easily walked over and said hi to him, but I was holding out for Rossi. Finally Rossi came out of the trailer and there was a whole mob of people around him, couldn’t get within 20 feet. After he was gone I looked back for Nicky and he was gone too. I kick myself for not meeting Nicky. After he won his first that weekend, there was no getting near him either.
Wow that story is sad on more than one level. I liked rossi also but nothing would have kept me from meeting Nicky being an American rider in the moto gp was reason enough. That's crazy that on his own home soil he had no one around him.
@ Maybe for just those short moments I saw him in the paddock. He for sure wasn’t by himself after the win. I kick myself because I was a fan of his during the AMA days as well when he was on the HRC RC51. Sixteen years old and riding with the big boys in AMA. RIP Nicky.
@kmfiz yep. I followed him from his 600 days all the way to the end. Was on the edge of my seat for his win in wsbk in the rain in sepang. I never got to meet him but when he died it hurt. It's crazy to get so attached to people you don't even know. Lol
Very very great video man, thanks for hearing my suggestion. Nicky is my favorite rider and a role model, coz as you said he was the underdog no one believed in and he won against all the odds. I think he’s the people’s champion, bcoz he demonstrated that if you believe in someting and in yourself you can do it. In fact he was also such a genuine person, shame for what happened to him, really miss him
I'm from Ky not far from Owensboro. Met his entire family many times. I attended his funeral and ride to the cemetery. Super nice person and family. Died in Rossi's country on a bicycle.
I saw Nicky up close as a kid at Laguna in 2000. I was in the grandstand at Laguna when he won in 2006. I remember watching the race live when Rossi crashed, and he became World Champ. I recently worked with guy that knew him growing up in school. It was a little funny, my coworker doesn't follow racing, he referred to him as Nick. I wish we had a competitive American racer again
RIP Nicky. Nicky was friendly and respectful to Rossi. Nicky was almost sure to win the championship until his own teammate took him out. Rossi rarely crashed, but he made an unforced error that handed the championship back to Nicky. Sometimes I wonder if Rossi consciously or unconsciously did it out of friendship or a sense of fairness.
My favorite rider. Named our son Hayden, my wife liked the name and when it was in her top 4, I said that had to be it. She liked the name before she knew who Nicky Hayden was. I thought it was kinda cool that it worked out that way.
Got to meet Nicky in Jerez. He took a few minutes to stop and talk to us and take some pictures, real cool guy. We got hooked up with some passes from Colin Edwards and we got to watch the race from inside the Tech3 Yamaha garage. It was awesome. I remember when Nicky was done taking photos with us, he said "great seeing you guys, got to get crack-a-lackin.' RIP Kentucky Kid.
Very Tragic accident. Italian Drivers are very crazy. I am not sure if this video showed real photos of the accident, but I read the driver was doing double the speed limit at an intersection.
So hard to believe that we cannot get more Americans into Moto GP. Kenny Roberts was the 1st American to win the Championship and I believe Nicky was the last.
I watched his ascension. Supported by family. and yes I was almost killed by bicycles. I rode motorcycles since I was 14. owned 80 bikes and went on 350 mile trips in traffic,. much safer and if you do not drive at night or in the rain.....safer than cars in daylight .
I highly recommend the dvd: The Doctor, The Tornado, & The Kentucky Kid..2006 film by Mark Neil about the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca I was lucky to find one at a yardsale and is personally one of my top 5 video finds of all time! What an epic win. What a great champion!! RIP Nicky!!
Ugggh, I write this every time, A million times of laying it on the line as a top racer, An he gets taken out on a Training bicycle, Damn U Fate.......
"Against all odds?" why? Strange comment since he was hugely talented and on the best bike at the time. Took him a couple years but look at all the guys who have never even won a race.
Was it an accident? Or MAYBE a jealous , rival opponent with a past grudge decided it was time to get even . Maybe, you never know stranger things are known to happen.
@ yep I thank Rossi had 3 dnf that year he crashed the last race he may have been leading the points going into last race . 2 dnf in a season and be points leader at the end says a lot for Rossi . Clearly Americans just can’t ride those big tracks over there . Maybe moto America help them get back on top
@@bradwilliams5242 Americans just can’t ride those big tracks over there? You mean Americans like Eddie Lawson, Kenny Roberts (Sr. and Jr), Freddy Spencer, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwanz, and Randy Mamola? All World Champions except Mamola who was runner-up 4 times. Nah, they just couldn't cut it.
@@kenlucius7504 they are the last ones that could . Hayden won a championship and turned into a mid packer I don’t ever remember Lawson Roberts rainy or doohan ever being mid packers 🤓
He beat Rossi b/c Rossi DNF’d 4 races that year. Had Rossi finished those 4 races, this vlog wouldn’t have been made. It wasn’t Hayden’s skill or ability, he just got lucky.
I'm a fan of Nicky Haygen, but he only won 3 races in Motogp, 2 at Laguna Seca, his home track & one at Assen when most of the other riders had been injured in a previous race. I do like the guy, but he isn't one of the greatest.
Rossi finished ahead of every single primer class rider to participate in the championship at least once over a span of 19 seasons. There isn't a single rider who has come close to that.
Got to meet and talked to him once. All I can say is he was a VERY down to earth, Humble man that knew how to treat people. Because he passed away on a road bicycle, not the race track, his death was tragic……….. RIP NICKY, YOU ARE VERY MUCH MISSED…
I watched that race live. Nicky was in the groove that day. Rip bro. Thanks for the memories.
Nicky will NEVER be forgotten!! Such a great person, aside from his skills on the Bike!!! RIP Brother.
I met him as a young man during his team hyper cycle Suzuki days. You could tell even back then that he was going to be great. R.I.P. Nicky, you are missed and your legacy is Cemented.
That was '97 I believe. Teammates with Jason Pridmore. That team had a few rule violations/DQ's but was just a stepping stone for Nicky. I first met him and Tommy in '93 when Nicky needed help to board his RS125. Colin Edwards was around Tommy's age and won the AMA 250GP Championship in '92.
His Victory at Laguna Seca July 06 was epic. The World Championship returning to American Soil was a True Motorsport moment. I stopped paying attention to Espn when they failed to mention the achievement. A Racer to the core. Factory Super Sport 600cc pilot in his senior year of High School.
Get the movie The Doctor, The Tornado, & The Kentucky Kid....you will love it!!
I was there spectating.
Outside of corkscrew entry. No more than 35 feet from the bikes.
Nicky was braking so hard that he was lifting the back wheel. Then as soon as he put the wheel down he’d flick it into that downhill left.
Every lap.
I don’t remember anyone getting in front of him.
They do not like American riders having that title. We need to get it back
@ShaunHensley what a race, , and what a place to get to see it unfold. Oh, the Good Dr, Rossi tried to no avail. He was taken back to school for a hard lesson. Down through the corkscrew into Rainey...what a sight it must have been. Rossi remembered this lesson and taught it to Casey Stoner later. He didn't like it either. Thanks for sharing.
@@ShaunHensley get the movie The Doctor, The Tornado, & The Kentucky Kid....you might be in it!!😁
Gone too soon... wherever you are Nicky...
Ride in Peace...❤❤
RIP LEGEND. I will never forget your excellence.
An amazingly kind and humble gentleman who showed what hard work achieves.
He sent me a birthday card, as my son had contacted him.
Legendary man , I have his original Laguna helmet & still wear it to this day proud.
Rip Champ 🏆
🤜🏼🇺🇸💙🇦🇺🤛🏼
That's awesome to hear! Nicky Hayden's legacy lives on through fans like you.
I met and saw Nicky at Sears Point when he was a kid. Extremely polite and even more talented. I will always be a fan. God Bless young man.
As a Kentuckian I was very disappointed n our state news on there lack of reporting not only on Nicky H but the Hayden family on what they have accomplished over the yrs & the way they reported on Nicky’s Tragic Death. Nicky & his family Deserved better. N Ky it’s all about Basketball & Horse Racing that’s it. My health wasn’t that good but I still rode my bike to Nicky’s Ceremony that OWB had. Thank U Hayden Family from this Kentuckian Nicky will b n our Hearts❤ RIP KY KID✌️🥃
Daddy was not the optics they wanted on TV, Daddy made 3 very successful young men in a time they were removing more fathers from their children.
Such a humble and genuinely good guy. One of a kind. I knew Nicky pretty well from AMA racing in the '90's. Always had time to say hello, always genuine. Big loss. Legend.
No doubt!
Not the fastest or flashiest rider but the nicest, most genuine and coolest rider of the time.
RIP. Always a Nicky fan.
I was there in Laguna Seca 2005 for Nicky’s first GP win. I had a paddock pass that weekend and wanted to see Rossi, Nicky was nearby in a golf cart by himself with no one around, could have easily walked over and said hi to him, but I was holding out for Rossi. Finally Rossi came out of the trailer and there was a whole mob of people around him, couldn’t get within 20 feet. After he was gone I looked back for Nicky and he was gone too. I kick myself for not meeting Nicky. After he won his first that weekend, there was no getting near him either.
Wow that story is sad on more than one level. I liked rossi also but nothing would have kept me from meeting Nicky being an American rider in the moto gp was reason enough. That's crazy that on his own home soil he had no one around him.
@ Maybe for just those short moments I saw him in the paddock. He for sure wasn’t by himself after the win. I kick myself because I was a fan of his during the AMA days as well when he was on the HRC RC51. Sixteen years old and riding with the big boys in AMA. RIP Nicky.
@kmfiz yep. I followed him from his 600 days all the way to the end. Was on the edge of my seat for his win in wsbk in the rain in sepang. I never got to meet him but when he died it hurt. It's crazy to get so attached to people you don't even know. Lol
@@danlford I hear ya.
@@danlford I’m don’t remember him going to WSBK. That was after his MotoGP stint?
It wasnt luck. It was 20 years of hard work. Too bad luck doesnt make you live forever. RIP
...he truly was a wonderful man and wore his emotions on his sleeve. Thanks for making this video!
Glad you enjoyed it
'Wore his emotions on his sleeve' = acted like a spoilt bi**h
Wow. The pressure going into that last race in his championship year. And he handled it. Must of shut a few people up. Life lesson.
Very very great video man, thanks for hearing my suggestion. Nicky is my favorite rider and a role model, coz as you said he was the underdog no one believed in and he won against all the odds. I think he’s the people’s champion, bcoz he demonstrated that if you believe in someting and in yourself you can do it. In fact he was also such a genuine person, shame for what happened to him, really miss him
Glad you enjoyed!
Loved Nicky great rider shame gone to soon RIP
I'm from Ky not far from Owensboro. Met his entire family many times. I attended his funeral and ride to the cemetery. Super nice person and family. Died in Rossi's country on a bicycle.
I lovE watching Nicky ride. Rest In Peace my friend.
Miss him! He’s a legend
I'll never forget watching him 👍👍👍 great rider great person great family..
The last Superbiker to do it. It will never be done again. He was amazing. He destroyed them at Laguna Seca.
He won at every level. What more can you say. All that aside, like Val said...... he was just the guy who you wanted to hang out with. Cool guy.
Miss you buddy, ride in paradise
Hands down the "best ever"! The way hrc treated him is criminal...
Uhhh... no.
definitely no
A great friend on and off the track. His legacy lives in many a rider of today. In OWB he will forever be in their hearts. Sadly missed.
That's our Boy 🏁🇺🇸🏁 RIP KID
We certainly miss him as a racer, but a maybe little more because of the human being that he was.
Love Nicky!
Was a great Day! Miss this guy!
No doubt!
Nicky was and is a legend! He never let the huge bias of Repsol, Dorna or Ducati shut him down !
Watched his entire career since he was twelve. 2006 was a great season.
Was at Laguna Seca for the return of MotoGP to America. Nicky won that race.
He should still be with us 🙏🏻
Sorely missed.....Truly an American Motorsports Hero.
What a man!
MY MAN!!!🤌🏽
I was at Laguna Seca in 2005.
Amazing race!
I saw Nicky up close as a kid at Laguna in 2000. I was in the grandstand at Laguna when he won in 2006. I remember watching the race live when Rossi crashed, and he became World Champ. I recently worked with guy that knew him growing up in school. It was a little funny, my coworker doesn't follow racing, he referred to him as Nick. I wish we had a competitive American racer again
Bro is setting lap records in heaven. RIP
Rest easy Legend!
Let’s not forget, Nicky won the pole position award that 2006 season too…… on an experimental bike that had clutch issues.
He grew amidst a rich talent pool in the AMA in 2000-2003. The Bostrums, Mladin, Duhamel, Anthony Gobert.
R.I.P in motorcycle heaven
Rossi the greatest of all time, you've got to be kidding rite. Nicky was a gentleman racer, on and off the track RIP Nicky.
RIP Nicky. Nicky was friendly and respectful to Rossi. Nicky was almost sure to win the championship until his own teammate took him out. Rossi rarely crashed, but he made an unforced error that handed the championship back to Nicky. Sometimes I wonder if Rossi consciously or unconsciously did it out of friendship or a sense of fairness.
My favorite rider. Named our son Hayden, my wife liked the name and when it was in her top 4, I said that had to be it. She liked the name before she knew who Nicky Hayden was. I thought it was kinda cool that it worked out that way.
Am American Legend. RIP brother.
Got to meet Nicky in Jerez. He took a few minutes to stop and talk to us and take some pictures, real cool guy. We got hooked up with some passes from Colin Edwards and we got to watch the race from inside the Tech3 Yamaha garage. It was awesome. I remember when Nicky was done taking photos with us, he said "great seeing you guys, got to get crack-a-lackin.' RIP Kentucky Kid.
His brother Tommy dominated AMA Supersport in the early 2000 years!
Very Tragic accident. Italian Drivers are very crazy. I am not sure if this video showed real photos of the accident, but I read the driver was doing double the speed limit at an intersection.
R.I.P. Brother
Wow, so America hasn't had a competitive motogp rider representing the USA for nearly 20 years. Wow, how times have changed..
stop
I miss that guy!
Why is it, that the truly great ,have to leave us so soon 😢 ?
Look everywhere , especially F1 !
Jackie Stewart , somehow beat the odds ! 👌👍💪🏴
The Kentucky Kid was really something. RIP.
Nicky had perseverance. And Vale didn't lose the championship - Yamaha did with the M1 in early 2006
So hard to believe that we cannot get more Americans into Moto GP. Kenny Roberts was the 1st American to win the Championship and I believe Nicky was the last.
Never forget ❤❤RIP #69
Always in our hearts
Be safe
saddest story i ever heard. rest in peace in heaven hayden
He whas a ice man. I met him in Buriram Thailand at SUPERBIKE 2016 he is miist RIP
I watched his ascension. Supported by family. and yes I was almost killed by bicycles. I rode motorcycles since I was 14. owned 80 bikes and went on 350 mile trips in traffic,. much safer and if you do not drive at night or in the rain.....safer than cars in daylight .
I highly recommend the dvd: The Doctor, The Tornado, & The Kentucky Kid..2006 film by Mark Neil about the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca I was lucky to find one at a yardsale and is personally one of my top 5 video finds of all time!
What an epic win. What a great champion!! RIP Nicky!!
Blocking my comments again unazitube??!!
RIP Nic!
#RideOnKentuckyKid We all miss you Nicky!
❤
I think more were stunned that rossi crashes out in the last race.
RIP Nicky.
Still remember the announcement of his cyclist accident.
Pretty funny, all that riding around the track after the race with his helmet off. Now you get fined if your visor is up lol.
Ugggh, I write this every time, A million times of laying it on the line as a top racer, An he gets taken out on a Training bicycle, Damn U Fate.......
"Against all odds?" why?
Strange comment since he was hugely talented and on the best bike at the time. Took him a couple years but look at all the guys who have never even won a race.
Was it an accident? Or MAYBE a jealous , rival opponent with a past grudge decided it was time to get even . Maybe, you never know stranger things are known to happen.
😎👌😎👌😎😂🤩
= 💯💯💯💯💯‼️‼️‼️‼️
8 mins??? - that's disrespectful to Nicky.
And honda still developed their bike around Dani Pedrosa.🤬
What are the odds? You live your life racing at 200 mph and you die getting run over ridding your bicycle.
😂🤩😂😎👌😎🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Ada Sepang chuii
🏍️🇺🇲
He won because of multiple dnf s of the Yamaha😮
It's no coincidence that Rossi has his own "Roberts Ranch". He saw what guys like Nicky could do on dirt and wanted to get better at sliding the bike.
@ yep I thank Rossi had 3 dnf that year he crashed the last race he may have been leading the points going into last race . 2 dnf in a season and be points leader at the end says a lot for Rossi . Clearly Americans just can’t ride those big tracks over there . Maybe moto America help them get back on top
@@bradwilliams5242 Americans just can’t ride those big tracks over there? You mean Americans like Eddie Lawson, Kenny Roberts (Sr. and Jr), Freddy Spencer, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwanz, and Randy Mamola? All World Champions except Mamola who was runner-up 4 times. Nah, they just couldn't cut it.
@@kenlucius7504 they are the last ones that could . Hayden won a championship and turned into a mid packer I don’t ever remember Lawson Roberts rainy or doohan ever being mid packers 🤓
The accidental champion
Hayden was like a dude id hang with from Tx. Amd he beat the best
Won one but ROSSI STILL THE GOAT 😂
I'm a fan but come on, he won the 2006 title by luck and luck alone. Nicky only won 2 race that whole year and that was at his home track. RIP Nicky.
Idiotic comment.
69
Stopped at the mis-pronunciation of Mugello… get it together 🙄
He beat Rossi b/c Rossi DNF’d 4 races that year.
Had Rossi finished those 4 races, this vlog wouldn’t have been made.
It wasn’t Hayden’s skill or ability, he just got lucky.
Really? AMA Grand National wins, AMA Supersport and Superbike championships, and finally the MotoGP title. Nicky definitely had world-class skills.
Dolt comment.
Sweet guy but come on. Everyone knows he got lucky with Honda and Yamaha going in opposite directions.
Lout.
I'm a fan of Nicky Haygen, but he only won 3 races in Motogp, 2 at Laguna Seca, his home track & one at Assen when most of the other riders had been injured in a previous race. I do like the guy, but he isn't one of the greatest.
Greatest of all time😂, that title goes to agostini, because rossi had little opposition good enough
Little opposition???
Biaggi
Gibernau
Capirossi
Hayden
Pedrosa
Stoner
Lorenzo
Marquez
Worst take of all time and a dellusional statement
Rossi finished ahead of every single primer class rider to participate in the championship at least once over a span of 19 seasons. There isn't a single rider who has come close to that.
Neither did ago tbh....
Apart from hailwood and moon eyes cooper.
Rip Nickey . Hope you still riding wherever you are .
Call him Lucky Hayden a rider that never cut it at Moto GP
An awful lot of rubbish spoken in this video.
He didn't stun anyone. Rossi dominated him but had a bad luck with his bike breaking down.
He was lucky that Rossi didn't kill him like he did to Marko .
I call it a total fluke, nothing more.
You don't understand the vagaries of racing do you?
Had Pedrossa not taken him out it wouldn't have been so close but that's racing, the fastest doesn't always win the race/championship.
That's a great way of letting everyone know you aren't equipped with enough knowledge on the topic to have a valid opinion.
@@A.J.1656 perfect response, nicely made!
yeah, like he was on his way to the shops, found an abandoned race bike, and accidentally rode onto all the right circuits, just as the race started.