"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Strange TT bars

I was looking at last year's report on U-23 TT World's and was surprised when I saw the "aerobars" the eventual winner Mikhail Ignatiev used on his bike.

From what I see in pro races, most riders choose bars that place elbows close together, however Ignatiev has his elbows very wide apart. Doesn't he lose the aerodinamic advantage when he creates a "pocket" between his arms and chest?

I know he's also an exceptional track rider (Olympic gold et al.), maybe that's why he rode this bike?

Anyway, here's the best photo cyclingnews.com had to offer:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/worlds05/worlds052/cycling-world-esp-u23-me-22.jpg

At least he doesn't look like a praying mantis

Though this does not appear to be an optimum TT position, he will not create too much of an air pocket because none of the air is being trapped against his abdomen, chest, elbow or thighs. He is SO wide open that it isnt a pocket so much as a wall.

My knowledge of aerodynamics says that the elbows do not have to be as close together as possible - only about thigh width. If your elbows are more narrow then that, it restricts breathing, but does little for Aero position as even if the air does not hit your arms, it still contacts the thigh. However, if your forearm directs the air around the thigh (via a slightly wider elbow), you can both breathe better and not suffer aero penalty.

Slight loss of aerodynamics but big gain on breathing maybe?

There will be a whole bunch of stuff that will change on that set up if he hits a Pro Tour team. Big mess aerodynamically. Doesn't even have shoe covers...

Once you get below the big boys there's a huge drop off in equipment, and knowledge in set up. I've seen some of the stuff US pro riders have shown up with at TT's (and gotten emails asking if anyone could spare a disc wheel), most Masters racers have far better equipment.

That is awfully wide, but there's a recent trend to have elbows a little wider. some wind tunnel testing about 2 years ago, showed that Roberto Heras was more aero with his pads spread a bit, and people started setting up with the pads a bit wider, but not as wide as in this pic.