Glenn Kearney will step back to the E1 category this season.

The 2013 Husqvarna Racing team is set to make a strong start to the 2013 season at this weekend’s Australian Off-Road Championship opener in Bulahdelah on the NSW mid-coast.

Husqvarna stalwart Glenn Kearney returns for 2013 following a successful 2012 season, making the transition from the E2 class to E1 for this season.

Last year, after taking out the runner up spots in E2 for both the AORC and the A4DE, Kearney’s early testing indicated some serious pace on the new TE 250R leading to the decision to target the E1 titles for 2013.

Kearney is joined by 2012 AORC and A4DE E2 champion Matt Phillips, who has joined Husqvarna Racing for 2013 and will share his time competing in the World Enduro Championship and the AORC when the WEC calendar permits.

In Australia Phillips will ride a TE 310 R in the E2 category.

Rounding out the 2013 Husqvarna team is rising star Lachlan Stanford. The amiable youngster made a strong return to competition in 2012 with consistent performances that saw him finish the season just off the AORC and A4DE podiums.

Stanford is expected to be in the thick of the E2 action on the new 2013 TE 310R.