The American rider was part of an early four-man breakaway on the 150 kilometre stage from Bern to Villars-sur-Ollon.

As they approached the climb at the Col des Mosses, located at 30km to go, the quartet of riders enjoyed an advantage of over six minutes.

The Netherlands’ Lars Boom was unable to hold the pace and was dropped on the climb, before eventually being followed by Nick van der Lijke as the leaders began the ascent up Villars-sur-Ollon.

Warbasse would set a strong pace up the final climb to dislodge his final breakaway companion, Antoine Duchesne of Canada.

The American rode the final eight kilometres of the stage solo, riding across the line in a winning time of 3 hour, 48min and 55sec.

Warbasse’s triumph would prove to be the first victory for the continental level Aqua Blue Sport team on the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour.

Italy’s Damiano Caruso would cross the line in second place, leading the Netherlands’ Steven Kruijswijk and Slovenia’s Simon Spilak over the finish.

The trio came in 40sec behind the winner.

The result would prove enough for Caruso to assume the race lead from Australia’s Michael Matthews.

Caruso, who rides for BMC Racing, lies 15sec clear of Kruijswijk in the overall standings.

Italy’s Domenico Pozzovivo is 24sec off the lead in third, along with Spilak.

The race will continue tomorrow with a 222km stage from Bex to Cevio tomorrow.