Matej Ferjan
Slovenian-Hungarian speedway rider (1977–2011)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matej Ferjan (5 January 1977[1] – 22 May 2011) was a Slovenian motorcycle speedway rider. He earned 8 caps for the Slovenia national speedway team and 2 caps for the Hungary national speedway team.[2]
Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
| Born | 5 January 1977 Ljubljana, Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Died | 22 May 2011 (aged 34) |
| Nationality | Slovenian |
| Career history | |
| Poland | |
| 1998–1999 | Grudziądz |
| 2000 | Zielona Góra |
| 2001 | Częstochowa |
| 2002 | Opole |
| 2003–2004, 2006 | Ostrów |
| 2005 | Krosno |
| 2007–2008 | Gorzów |
| Great Britain | |
| 1998, 2001, 2002 | Belle Vue Aces |
| 1999, 2004, 2005 | Poole Pirates |
| 2000 | Ipswich Witches |
| 2001 | Peterborough Panthers |
| 2003 | Oxford Cheetahs |
| 2011 | Newcastle Diamonds |
| Denmark | |
| 2001 | Slangerup |
| 2007 | Holstebro |
| Sweden | |
| 2000–2004 | Västervik |
| 2007 | Indianerna |
| Individual honours | |
| 2000 | Continental Champion |
| 1997, 1998, 1999 2000, 2001 | Slovenian champion |
| 2003, 2004, 2006 2007, 2008, 2009 | Hungarian Champion |
| 2007 | Criterium of Aces |
| Team honours | |
| 2004 | Elite League Champion |
| 2004 | Elite League Knockout Cup |
Career
Ferjan was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia.[3] He was a five-time Slovenian Individual Speedway Championship winner (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)[4] and a six-time Hungarian champion (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009).
In 1998, he won a third place in Individual U-21 World Championship. The same year he made his British leagues debut with Belle Vue Aces.[5]
On 9 July 2000 he won the Continental Final, which formed part of the 2001 Speedway Grand Prix Qualification.[6] He then secured a permanent ride in the 2001 and 2002 Speedway Grand Prixs.
In 2004, he was second in the Individual European Championship, the same year that the BSPA blocked his transfer to Newcastle Diamonds[7] He would however ride for Newcastle seven years later.
He was also the second non Polish rider after Rune Holta to win the Polish Criterium of Aces, winning in 2007.
Death
On 22 May 2011 Ferjan was found dead in his van at the apartment block where he lived in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland. His cause of death has been attributed to a blood clot in his leg.[8][9]
Family
Ferjan had a son, Mark, born on 19 April 2004, and a daughter, Victoria.