Nicholas "Nicky" Patrick Hayden (July 30, 1981 – May 22, 2017), nicknamed The Kentucky Kid, was an American professional motorcycle racer who won the MotoGP World Championship in 2006. He was born in Owensboro, Kentucky. On September 3, 2009, it was confirmed that Hayden had signed a one-year extension of contract with Ducati for the 2010 MotoGP season, ending speculation of a move away from the team.
On May 17, 2017, Hayden was hit by a car while riding his bicycle near Rimini, Italy. Five days after the accident, Hayden died in the hospital in Cesena, Italy on May 22, 2017 at the age of 35.