Swiss rookie Kueng rides solo to win Tour of Romandie stage

FRIBOURG, Switzerland (AP) Swiss rookie Stefan Kueng rode to an impressive solo victory on a rain-soaked Tour of Romandie fourth stage on Friday.

The 21-year-old Kueng, the track world champion in pursuit, went clear with around 25 kilometers (15 miles) left to finish 38 seconds ahead of Jan Bakelants of Belgium. Third-place Bertjan Lindeman of the Netherlands was a second further back.

Michael Albasini of Switzerland finished safely near the front of the main pack under a minute behind Kueng to retain the overall lead.

Kueng got in a breakaway early in the 170-kilometer (105.5-mile) ride from La Neuveville to Fribourg. The group had only four riders when he made a decisive move.

''I like the rain, I like the cold so this morning I was thinking about how I could win,'' said Kueng, who is in his debut season with BMC Racing's top-tier squad. ''It was a time trial to the end.''

After three straight stage wins for Swiss riders on relatively flat roads, the six-day race moves into the mountains on Saturday.

Two-time defending champion Chris Froome of Britain is in third place, just 20 seconds behind Albasini, ahead of a challenging 162.7-kilometer (101.1-mile) trek from Fribourg to Champex-Lac.

Froome starts with a 17-second advantage over Vincenzo Nibali of Italy, the 2014 Tour de France winner, and 40 over Nairo Quintana. The Colombian was the runner-up in Froome's 2013 Tour victory and won the Giro d'Italia last season.

The race ends Sunday with an individual time trial in Lausanne.