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

According to the popular 35-year-old American, currently competin൲g 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 c💖hest and head trauma before being transported to hospital.

UPDATE: 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 (@HondaWSB♔K)

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

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)

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 inten🐷sive care unit, the clinical picture remains extremely serious."

UPDATE: Statement from N꧋icky 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 ye🅠sterday 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 Ni𒀰cky's condition was stabilised, he was transferred to Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena and remains in the hospital's intensive car🅰e unit.

"Me꧑mbers 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: