Ullevalseter: “I will be very happy with a 5th position” In this discipline which brings together competitors of very different levels, Ullevalseter is precisely the type of driver that is hard to categorise. Not really a professional, since he does not enjoy the support of a professional group like KTM, Pal Anders is not just a “privateer” either. Thanks to his talent as a rider and his experience as a biker (he started motocrossing in 1987), he has been able to stand up to the best factory riders for a few seasons now.
Pal Anders Ullevalseter started his first rally raid five years ago with the UAE Desert Challenge. Since then, Pal Anders has been quite discreet but highly effective and has become one of the most regular riders on the Dakar. He finished in the Top 10 in his first three editions: 9th in 2002, 7th in 2003 and 5th in 2004. In 2005, a fall and a broken collarbone forced the Norwegian to withdraw. Finally, he was able to live up to his reputation and get back on track in 2006 with a 6th position.
The Scandinavian, who claimed a bitter World Title in 2004 (he won the Pharaons Rally after the collective withdrawal of Richard Sainct’s team mates), has competed with the best during the entire 2006 season, finishing 3rd in the World Championship and second in the overall standing at the foot of the pyramids in the Pharaons Rally. Pal Anders knows the limits of his bike and does not consider racing for victory against the first three or four major contenders: “I know that my bike’s maximum speed is not high enough to compete with the very top competitors on the fastest stages. So on those days I will try not to lose too much time and I will try to compensate on the technical stages. I will be very happy again if I finish this Dakar around the 5th position”.