French rider Alex Baudin took the race leader's yellow jersey on the Tour de Romandie after finishing in the chasing group in Thursday's second stage won by Italy's Lorenzo Fortunato.
Fortunato claimed the stage after a solo breakaway on the 157km ride.
Baudin, who rides for the EF Education team, stands 5 and 6sec ahead of Belgians Junior Lecerf and Lennert Van Eetvelt respectively.
Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, in his first stage race since a heavy fall in training in December, sits in sixth spot in the overall standings, 52sec off Baudin's pace.
The third stage on Friday sees the riders tackle a 183.1km loop around Cossonay, including a category two climb of Col du Mollendruz.