try this tip next time. it will seem counter to what you will think you should do to get your gut out of the way.
When in the drops pretend you are trying to stick your belly button out and forward and like you have a superman emblem on your chest that you want to show everyone. What this does is rotate your hips which gives your legs more room to put down more power, it also opens up your diaphragm (chest) to breath better.
First time i tried it i was shocked not by the breathing but the comfort. I have been trying to force myself into habit of doing it all the time riding even on the hoods.