Nicky Hayden injured in 'serious' accident

2006 MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden has been taken to hospital after a 'serious' road accident in Italy.

According to RiminiToday the popular 35-year-old American, currently competing in his second season of World Superbike with Ten Kate Honda, was struck by a car while training on his bicycle.

Pictures show substantial damage to the front windscreen of the Peugeot, with Hayden said to have been treated at the scene for severe chest and head trauma before being transported to hospital.

UPDATE: RiminiToday reports that Nicky Hayden has now been moved from hospital in Rimini to Bufalini Hospital in Cesena and remains in a serious condition.

UPDATE: Tweets from Nicky Hayden's Honda World Superbike team following this afternoon's road accident in Italy:

Thank you to all Nicky's fans for your support after his accident. He's receiving medical attention in Italy, and we must now be patient...-- Honda WSBK (@HondaWSBK) May 17, 2017

... The medical teams are working hard, and we will provide updates as soon as they are available-- Honda WSBK (@HondaWSBK) May 17, 2017

.. all we can confirm is that Nicky was involved in an incident while cycling & has been transferred to a hospital near Rimini for treatment-- Honda WSBK (@HondaWSBK) May 17, 2017

UPDATE: Dorna states possible surgery for Nicky Hayden. There is still no official word on the American's condition and, as is often the case with head trauma, it may take some time for doctors to understand the extent of his injuries:

Update as of 20:00 CET: Nicky was taken to the Cesena hospital for further treatment and possible surgery.-- MotoGP(TM) (@MotoGP) May 17, 2017

UPDATE: The Cesena hospital reports that Nicky Hayden remains in a serious condition and has been moved to intensive care.

UPDATE: Statement issued by the Cesena hospital on Thursday morning: "There are no substantial changes... Nicky Hayden remains hospitalised in the intensive care unit, the clinical picture remains extremely serious."

UPDATE: Statement from Nicky Hayden's Ten Kate Honda Team:

"Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team rider Nicky Hayden was involved in an incident while cycling near Rimini, Italy yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, 17th May)

"Following the incident, Nicky was treated on site by medical staff and then taken by ambulance to a hospital near Rimini for immediate treatment. Once Nicky's condition was stabilised, he was transferred to Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena and remains in the hospital's intensive care unit.

"Members of Nicky's team and his fianc? are with him in the hospital.

"We would like to thank everyone for their kind wishes and messages of support and the assistance of emergency and medical services. Once an official statement regarding Nicky's condition is released by the hospital or Nicky's family, a further update from the team will be issued."

All our thoughts are with Nicky's family and friends:

#GoNicky