Former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden passed away from multiple injuries sustained in a collision with a car while cycling near Rimini, Italy last week. Meanwhile, German triathlete Julia Viellehner also lost her battle and passed away at the same hospital after she collided with a lorry last week.

The 36 year old Hayden was in a coma after sustaining brain, chest and other injuries in the crash in Misano last Wednesday, which involved a 30-year-old woman driving a car. Hayden’s Specialized S-Works Venge was also destroyed due to the impact.

Italian newspaper said that the magistrates investigating the incident have examined CCTV footage from a neighbouring property that suggests that Hayden may have ignored a stop sign as he entered the junction. They are also examining an iPod and earbuds that Hayden had with him to try and determine whether he had been listening to music at the time of the fatal collision, as has been reported by some outlets. Investigators will also seek to determine whether the motorist was respecting the speed limit in force at the location in question.

The American champion who overhauled Valentino Rossi in the final race of the season to become MotoGP world champion in 2006, had most recently been competing in the Superbike World Championship with the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team.

31 year old Julia Viellehner had switched from athletics to duathlon then triathlon, enjoying some success both at national and international level. Unfortunately, while riding on a road near the Passo delle Forche, her bike was hooked by the rear wheel of a lorry and she was dragged along the road. According to Italian press, her condition worsened in hospital, and doctors amputated both her legs in an attempt to save her life, but she too passed away.

Source: Road.cc