Hayden memorial garden to be created in Misano

A memorial garden is to be installed near the area close to where Nicky Hayden suffered a tragic road accident last year in Misano.

As the one year anniversary of Hayden’s passing approaches, Misano council have given land for a memorial to be made on the street corner of Ca’Raffaelli e via Tavoleto. The garden will be built and maintained by one of Hayden’s friends and former Repsol Honda MotoGP mechanics Denis Pazzaglini who was with the 2006 world champion on the day he was involved in the accident.

Building work will begin this week with an opening date planned to mark the first anniversary of his death on May 22.

“The installation will take the name of ‘Giardino Nicky Hayden’,” Stefano Giannini, Misano Council Mayor, said. “The Council of Misano immediately decided to accept the request received from Nicky's friends.

“The young American rider had found a point of reference in Misano and Denis Pazzaglini, a mechanic at the time when Hayden was involved in MotoGP, soon turned into a close friend.

“Fate unfortunately wanted the two boys, up to a few hours before the tragic accident, to be together to ride on the roads of Misano.”

Last year on May 17 – three days after competing for Red Bull Honda at the Imola World Superbike round – Hayden was involved in an accident while training on his bicycle in the Misano region. The American rider suffered a traumatic brain injury and later died of his injuries in hospital five days after the accident.