A new prototype Orbea aero bike has been spotted at the Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes (formerly the Critrium du Dauphin). The bike, which appears to be an updated Orca Aero, features a series of neat design tweaks compared to the current model. Graphics have been hand-drawn onto the prototype frame, appearing to reveal where the changes have been applied, with a modified head tube and fork design most notable. The hand-drawn markings make clear where the improvements could be hiding (in plain sight). Ashley Quinlan / Our Media The fork crown arcs over the tyre more widely than the previous bike, while the underside of the down tube is cut away both suggest an increase in tyre clearance, albeit the fork itself isn't as extreme as that found on the Factor One. Tyre clearance appears up on the old bike. Ashley Quinlan / Our Media The bike featured 29mm Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed tyres mounted to Oquo wheels with a 23mm-wide internal diameter, but the space left over indicates a marked increase on the 30mm clearance the previous Orca Aero had. Do these chevrons hint to more clearance at the back too? Ashley Quinlan / Our Media The fork blades are deeper than before, extending forward of the front axle, which is likely designed to help manipulate the airflow more effectively before it engages with the rest of the bike. The bottom bracket features this shelf, and is chunkily built. Ashley Quinlan / Our Media That said, the headset and steerer arrangement also appears standard, as opposed to the offset 'bayonet' layout seen adopted by Factor, as well as the Cervlo's S5 and Colnago's Y1Rs. This is further evidenced by the riders' use of Oquo handlebars, which fit to a standard design. The seatpost has been modified. Ashley Quinlan / Our Media The seat post also looks to have been redesigned, now more neatly integrated into the frame and is narrower than previous. We might have missed this bulge, if not for the drawings. Ashley Quinlan / Our Media Close inspection of the bottom bracket, also helpfully revealed by the graphics, also reveals a protrusion extending backwards towards the leading edge of the rear tyre, which could serve to improve airflow. The front end clearly uses a standard headset design. Ashley Quinlan / Our Media The current Orca Aero features the ability to install a storage box in front of the bottom bracket area. This is outlawed by UCI regulations (but legal in triathlon competition), but mounting points remain in this area. The holes under the down tube reveal Orbea's storage box will remain an option. Not for the pro riders, though! Ashley Quinlan / Our Media Perhaps unsurprisingly, this model marked Prototype 011, belonging to Frenchman Baptiste Veistroffer has had the bolts for this accessory removed. Currently this build weighs 7.68kg in a size 55cm, but we're told this should get lighter for race start on Sunday. Ashley Quinlan / Our Media The bike, which is a size 55cm, weighs 7.68kg with Shimano Dura-Ace pedals and bottle cages, fitted with 57mm-deep Oquo RA57LTD carbon-spoked wheels. A team mechanic confirmed that they expect to shave some more from this once Veistroffer's setup has been finished.