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I never know what’s going to catch my eye and bring my camera up to shoot as I wander through a paddock. But I’m often surprised that I keep seeing things I don’t expect.

Among dozens of motorcycle riders strapping steel shoes onto their left feet at December’s Superprestigio event, I didn’t expect to see anyone do so after stepping out of pink and teal topsiders.

I love the juxtaposition created when Shayna Texter stood next to her casual shoes in her boots and steel shoe. Maybe it’s the feminine touch in a world so full of testosterone, maybe it’s the human side of people whom we tend to think of only as motorcycle racers.

It’s always a little odd to see MotoGP riders in street clothes, that is, clothing not made from kangaroo skin but also not branded with sponsor logos and team colors. It reminds you that they have lives away from racing, just as those pink and teal shoes do. After riding her heart out, Miss Texter would step back into those comfy kicks and go about her life away from the track.

After all, as Marilyn Monroe said, “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”

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

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

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