Atapuma fended off the challenge of the likes of Frenchman Warren Barguil, a rider for the Giant-Alpecin team, on the 126.4km stage from Brig-Gris to Cali with a well-timed attack in the closing stages of the race.

Latour, a member of the Ag2r La Mondiale outfit, came home in third place to edge ahead of LottoNL-Jumbo’s Dutch rider Wilco Kelderman on the overall standings, with both currently sitting on the same time.

“It was a very hard stage but I tried in the finale and I’m very happy to win,” Atapuma said.

“I want to dedicate it to my mother, who died last year, and to my team for all their support.

“It’s the biggest win of my career and I’m very happy to be able to claim a victory in a big race like the Tour de Suisse.”

Atapuma was one of a number of riders who made a sizeable early breakaway during the first mountain stage of this year’s Tour de Suisse as he took full advantage of his climbing ability.

But it was not until 6.5km to go that he launched what proved to be the decisive attack, moving ahead of Natnael Berhane of the Dimension Data team and Lotto-Soudal’s Tim Wellens.

The Colombian had managed to open up a lead of over a minute ahead of the rest of the peloton, though that quickly diminished thanks largely to the efforts of IAM Cyling’s Jarlinson Pantano.

A break split the peloton and saw the gap cut to 37 seconds.

The BMC cyclist held on amid intense pressure from Barguil, who did not quite have enough to usurp the Colombian, who finished in two hours 41min 54 sec.

The Tour de Suisse is due to resume tomorrow with another stage expected to favour the climbers as the riders will tackle a mountainous 193.1km route from Weesden to Amden.