Welsh rider Geraint Thomas surrendered his Tour de Romandie overall lead to Swiss rival Michael Albasini as he won both Wednesday’s second stage, the 168.1 kilometres ride from Apples to St-Imier and took the yellow jersey.
Albasini, who missed out on the yellow jersey by just 63 hundredths of a second on Tuesday in the team time-trial, edged out Jarlinson Pantano of Colombia and in-form Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe, who was second in both the Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Fleche-Wallonne in the past week.
Welsh rider Thomas finished over four minutes behind the winner at the end of the hilly stage.
Albasini’s team-mate Ivan Santaromita is second, 10 seconds adrift while two-time defending champion Chris Froome of Britain is third, also trailing by 10 seconds.
Thursday’s third stage is a hilly 172.5km ride from Moutier and Porrentruy, including the category two Col de la Croix.