Former MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden has been taken to hospital after he was hit by a car while training on his bicycle in Italy.

The 35-year-old American was riding along the Rimini coastline when the accident happened on Wednesday.

Hayden, competing for Red Bull Honda in the Superbike World Championship, was treated at the scene before being transported to a local hospital.

A statement on the Superbike World Championship website said: "Nicky Hayden (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) has been involved in a training incident which saw the American hit by a car when he was out training on his bicycle.

"The incident occurred along the Rimini coastline this afternoon, where he has been spending time following the Motul Italian Round at Imola. 

"Following the incident, emergency services were called to the scene and Hayden was transported to the local hospital.  Ambulances arrived and Hayden was taken directly to the hospital."

The 2006 MotoGP champion returned for a second spell in the Superbike World Championship last year and was in Italy after competing in the Motul Italian Round last weekend.