Michael Albasini of Orica Green Edge won the first stage of the Tour De Romandie in Switzerland.
With snow on Simplon Pass, the stage from Ascona to Sion was re-routed and shortened to eighty kilometres.
Dillier, Vallee and Hollenstein were straight on the attack and were 1.16 ahead with thirty one kilometres to go.
But four kilometres later and they were caught with Lampre and Team Sky on the front.
Tschopp attacked and Pinot bridged to him with Tschopp put himself into the King Of The Mountains jersey for being first over the climb.
Vincenzo Nibali attacked on the descent with Nicholas Roche, Talansky and Tommy Voeckler trying to join him.
Nibali was 25 seconds clear with seven kilometres to go and fifteen seconds ahead, a kilometre later as Omega Pharma Quick Step put the pressure on as behind them the peloton whittled down, suffering the effects of the final climb.
Tony Martin and Rohan Dennis caught up to Nibali but they were caught with 1.5kms left.
Voeckler attacked again but it was to no avail as the sprint trains came up and Michael Albasini took the win in 2.11.11 ahead of Herrada, Navardauskas, Iglinskiy, Talasnky, Brandle, Costa, Hivert, Thurau and Voeckler.