Husqvarna’s Racing’s Glenn Kearney will contest the final round of the Japanese National Cross-Country Championship in Japan this weekend.

Fresh from finishing second in the E2 ranks of the Australian Four-Day Enduro, Kearney received an invitation from the event organisers and departed for Japan yesterday.

A three-hour cross-country event, the Japanese JNCC is expected to feature a number of riders from the US-based Grand National Cross-Country (GNCC) series.

“I am looking forward to a racing holiday in Japan with my wife Krystle, to finish off what has been an excellent year of racing with the PFG Husqvarna team,” Kearney said.

“After the AORC season, the recent ISDE in Germany and the A4DE in Warragul things have been quite hectic with a lot of travel, so after this race in Japan I look forward to a few days of relaxing and experiencing the Japanese culture.

“Krystle and I both love sushi so we plan on getting our fair share of the Japanese specialty. The race is the final round of the Japanese National Cross-Country, three-hour endurance events is a format I really enjoy.

“Masami Hoshino the promoter of the JNCC contacted me in regard to racing this event, so with his help and big support from Husqvarna Japan we have got a program together that will hopefully see Husqvarna on the top step of the podium.

“The race is held in a ski resort, and with most of the information in Japanese I don’t know what exactly to expect. I am thinking the course will be quite steep and rocky and not to mention cold, as the Japanese snow season is fast approaching. Whatever the conditions I am sure we will be competitive with the top Japanese riders.”

This year’s race is located in the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, near Honshu. The organisers are using the Jiigatake skiing area for a seven kilometre loop. Over 500 starters will tackle the difficult track on Sunday.