N° 004 - TEAM SCANDINAVIA
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| Vehicle |
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| MODEL | MAKE |
| 690 | KTM |
Pal Anders Ullevalseter: «Two weeks of hell, two months of pleasure»
He has it all to be a star. Pal Anders Ullevalseter, professional motorcycle racer, has one of the finest Dakar records. In six participations, five finishes and one retirement in 2005 (broken clavicle), his worst finish was ninth overall (2002). His best result? Fourth overall in 2007. His progression has been constant, ever since his maiden outing in 2002.
So, what is his strategy? “I position myself with the top guys. For me, Despres and Coma are a cut above the rest. I have to wait for them to make a mistake. So, I ride at 90% of my capability to not take any risks and I wait. My advantage is that I am very strong physically. I am not as strong technically. I lose time on the short stages but I make it back up on the longer ones.”
Pal Anders Ullevalseter is not a « factory » rider. Each year, he begins his sponsor hunt upon his return from Dakar. “Even for me, it isn’t easy to complete the budget for my entry. The rally is more complicated in December in Norway than in Africa in January”.
So why does he compete in the Dakar each year? The answer is simple. “After the Dakar, I have a big smile on my face for two months. It is hell during the two weeks and yet it is so crazy. I am on cloud nine”.
This burning desire conscientiously serves Ullevalseter in his role as ambassador for African children in Norway. Some weeks after the Dakar, he will head to Darfur and testify, in his country, to the conditions to the living conditions of the children in the refuge camps.
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