“Not a happy man last year”
After eight Dakars on the large KTM 690, Pal-Anders Ullevalseter, like all the top riders, was forced to switch to a 450cc in 2011. A disturbing experience for the Norwegian who struggled on the tight and twisty tracks of the first week before making time where he feels at home: the desert. Finally 6th overall (his 8th top ten result), the 43-year old rider enters this Dakar a lot more confident. Having been able to improve the speed of his KTM and by racing in the Dubai and Morocco rallies, he hopes to one again make it on to the podium.
“I was not a happy man during the first week last year. That week was catastrophic for me. The pace was to fast. I said to myself it would be hard to finish in the top 20. But I knew there was still a long to go. Finishing 6th wasn't too bad considering the circumstances. Today, my bike is much faster, which was confirmed with a 3rd place finish on the Morocco Rally. On the Dakar there are a lot of riders faster than me on the narrow sections and mountain stages. They are really incredible. I am comfortable in the desert or on the very long days. That is where I make the difference and where I can make up time. The goal will be to just do my job, avoid mistakes and crashes. I know I can finish on the podium because I already have.”
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