"The #69 usedܫ by 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden was 🦩officially retired from MotoGP on Friday at the Grand Prix of the Americas.

Hayden's family and fr𓃲iends were joined by FIM President Jorge Viegas and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta꧋ during a ceremony held in the COTA Media Center.

"Sinc🌟e the beginning, after we lost him, we thought it's something we must do," Ezpeleta said. "Nicky was something special for all us, his behavior was really fantastic. We talked with the FIM and for us to retire the #69 forever is something important and we are very proud to do it. It's a great honour for our championship to have Nicky as part of our history."

Nicky's brother Tommy said: "Thanks to everyone that has joined us here. Nicky loved MotoGP for a🍸 reღason, because there's a lot of good people there, starting at the top.

"Nicky had a lot of suc♏cess on track, but I think we all agree he made just as big an impact off the track and everyone's lives - whether friends, family or fans. That's something we are mos🍷t proud of.

"The #69 is a special number in my family. My Dad raced with that number, then other family members, my sister, my brother Roger, m𝕴yself in our childhood years. Nicky carried the number through his career, so it has a lot of meaning and to have it retired from MotoGP, the pinnacle of the sport, means a lot to us.

"Thanks to everyone for helping to keep Nicky's legacy♕ alive."

Later today, the MotoGP paddock will join Hayden's family, friends and track marshals at the Turn 18 'Hayde꧂n Hill' grass berm🌄, where the American's 2006 Championship-winning Repsol Honda will be on display.

That bike will then be on display at the front of the gri💝d before Sunday's race.

Hayden took three wins and 28 podiums as a full-time MotoGP rider between 2003-2015, adding a World Superbike vict🐬ory in 2016 before his tragic death while training on a bicycle near Misano in 2017.