#69 TO BE RETIRED
FROM MOTOGP
Two years after the death of former MotoGP
Champion Nicky Hayden, his iconic racing
number will be retired from the top echelon
of motorcycle racing after the 2019 Grand
Prix of the Americas.
The number 69, which graced the MotoGP
circuit on Hayden’s Honda RC213-V in 2016, is
to be permanently removed from Grand Prix
number boards as a sign of respect for the
former World Champion.
"I'm proud to announce that the number
69 will be retired from Grand Prix racing,"
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports said
in a statement. "Nicky Hayden was one of
the biggest assets to this paddock and a
18 KIWI RIDER
fantastic example as a rider both on track
and off. It gives me great pleasure to honour
his legacy once again and ensure the number
69 remains synonymous with a legend and a
champion."
Other notable racers to have their race
numbers withdrawn from use include
Marco Simoncelli, Loris Capirossi and Kevin
Schwantz.
Nicky Hayden died five days after a cycling
accident in Italy in 2017 in which Hayden
was struck by a speeding car at a junction.
The driver of the car was later found guilty of
homicide by an Italian court.