Felix Gall of AG2R-Citroen climbed to a maiden professional win on Stage 4 of the 2023 Tour de Suisse on Wednesday, also claiming a narrow lead in the overall standings.

The 25-year-old Austrian was part of an early breakaway that opened a gap on the Crans Montana climb in the mountainous second part of the 152-kilometer stage from Monthey to Leukerbad.

Gall held on to finish 1 minute, 2 seconds ahead of Belgian favorite Remco Evenepoel, with overnight leader Mattias Skjelmose a second further back.

Overall, Gall leads Skjelmose by two seconds, with Evenepoel at 16 seconds, ahead of Thursday's daunting, mountainous 'queen' stage and downhill finish.

Two hilly stages follow, before a 25-kilometer individual time trial closes the race Sunday.