Former MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden’s condition has been described as ‘extremely critical’ today by doctors in Italy after he was hit by a car while cycling near Rimini yesterday.

The Red Bull Honda WorldSBK star sustained head, chest and pelvic injuries when he was in collision with a black Peugeot 206.

After an initial assessment at the roadside, Hayden was taken to a Rimini hospital before being transferred to the Bufalini Hospital in Cesena for examination by trauma specialists. He remains in intensive care.

Hayden’s fiancée Jackie has been joined his mother Rose and brother Tommy in Italy while members of the Red Bull Honda squad are also at the hospital.

Doctors released this statement at 4pm:

“Nicky Hayden’s clinical condition remains extremely critical.

“The young man, who is still in the intensive care unit of Cesena’s Bufalini hospital, has suffered a serious polytrauma with subsequent serious cerebral damage.

“The prognosis remains reserved.”