Team M4 EMGO Suzuki got off to a steady start on Friday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the eighth stop on the eleven round AMA Superbike Championship tour. Last season the team picked up four podium finishes in two trips to the venue and entered this weekend with hopes of a similarly impressive performance.

Geoff May was quick out of the gates this morning, circulating the undulating track with a best time of 1:26.472 during the Superstock practice. The Georgian ranked fourth best in the session aboard his Pirelli-shod GSX-R1000. A short while later, he lowered his time to a 1: 25.943 during the Superbike practice, good enough for sixth best in the premier class and ahead of several factory Superbike riders.

May also led the way for Team M4 EMGO Suzuki in the middleweight class, clocking the seventh best lap (1: 28.285) of the Supersport session aboard his GSX-R600. Colombian Martin Cardenas was not far behind, ranking 11th at 1:28.652, followed closely by California Michael Beck, who was 13th with a fast time of 1:28.979.

Cardenas closed out Friday with a second-row qualifying performance in the Formula Xtreme class despite suffering a fall in the session. The former Spanish Supersport champion will open tomorrow's 16-lap FX contest from the outside of row two after registering a 1: 27.801 lap during qualifying to claim the eight spot on the grid.

Team Crew Chief Keith Perry said, "Just when Martin was starting to get into his rhythm he had a little tip over in turn four. Luckily he was able to ride it back to the pits and we made some quick repairs, but it threw his session off a bit I think. He did manage to climb back up to the second row, which was encouraging. He just needs more laps around here. He got up to pace pretty quickly, but it's not easy finding that last little bit needed."

Commenting on May's Supersport showing, Perry said, "Practice went pretty well. We've got a good grasp of what we need for tomorrow. Geoff ran a lot of consistent laps in the low '28s, right where we think he needs to be. We've got a good race pace, good tires, and a good set-up, so we're looking forward to qualifying tomorrow and the race on Sunday."

 from Team M4 EMGO Suzuki