Hayden remains extremely critical

Nicky Hayden remains in extremely critical condition at an Italian hospital with severe brain and chest injuries after he was hit by a car while cycling.

The following statement was released by the Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena, Italy:

"The clinical picture of Nicky Hayden remains unchanged. His condition is still extremely critical. He is still in the intensive care unit of Cesena's Maurizio Bufalini Hospital and the prognosis stays reserved."

The hospital confirmed on Thursday that Hayden suffered "a serious polytrauma with subsequent serious cerebral damage." He also sustained several lower-body fractures. 

According to reports in the Italian media, the 35-year-old American was cycling in Rimini, Italy – having competed in a World Superbike Race in Italy last Sunday – when he was struck. He was transported to a local hospital before being moved to Cesena.

Hayden, who rose to prominence on the American dirt-track motorcycle racing scene, won the MotoGP title in 2006 for the Repsol Honda team. He won three races in a career from 2003-2015, before switching to Superbike full-time, although he made two starts in MotoGP last year to fill in for injured Honda rider Jack Miller.