Please click on the above image to view it larger.

I like it when small bits of personality peek out in unexpected places. On the grid at Le Mans, I noticed Yamaha Tech 3 rider Pol Espargaro’s helmet having taken on a personality of its own.

Each rider has a grid routine, and as ear plugs are ubiquitous kit for the riders, the foam bits are often part of these routines. You’ve probably seen Rossi with a finger pistol to each ear as he settles his own ear plugs in place (after moistening them with saliva, of course).

But I’ve never before seen a rider place his ear plugs, and gracefully color coordinated ones at that, on top of his helmet as if the crash hat had sprouted horns.

Perhaps it was just a coincidence that he placed them in that location in that way. But then again, perhaps he was feeling mischievous, or maybe he was thinking of himself as a matador, or perhaps even a bull. Even with my limited knowledge of bull fighting, somehow I think that last possibility unlikely. Bulls seem to fare poorly in the contests their managers arrange for them.

Pol went on to finish fourth in the race, less than a second behind Bautista. Olé!

©2014 by Scott Jones / PHOTO.GP – All Rights Reserved

Camera Info: Nikon D4 with Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8

[mgallery keyword=”Pol Espargaro”]