#RepsolHonda

In the world of motorcycle racing, the number 69 is synonymous with one person: Nicky Hayden. “The Kentucky Kid” left an indelible mark on this sport, punctuated by his 2006 MotoGP championship, which earned him MotoGP “Legend” status upon his departure to World Superbike at the end of 2015. As a tribute to the late, great champion, Dorna will retire the number 69 from premier Grand Prix racing at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas, ensuring the number and the man will forever be linked.

One of the biggest news stories in MotoGP for 2019 is Jorge Lorenzo leaving Ducati after two years and joining the factory Repsol Honda team, replacing the now-retired Dani Pedrosa. The move comes as a bit of a shock for a few reasons, but it also pairs the three-time MotoGP World Champion with five-time – and reigning – champ, Marc Marquez.

Plans for a garden to commemorate Nicky Hayden have been approved by Misano officials, as was reported by Italian news source Rimini Today. The garden will be paid for by a group of Hayden’s friends, including Denis Pazzaglini, who became friends with the 2006 MotoGP champion during their time together at Repsol Honda.

One does not simply walk off the street and into Honda Racing Corporation’s office, or any other major manufacturer’s building for that matter, and request to fill out an application to become the next MotoGP racer. Throwing a leg over a $2 million-dollar, 240-hp engineering work of art is reserved for those select few who were twisting throttles before they graduated from drinking out of baby bottles.