The fourth stage of the race, which began close to the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) headquarters in Aigle, featured six classified climbs.

A large breakaway group was established early in the stage, which was ultimately reduced to the Spanish pairing of Ion Izagirre and Óscar Rodríguez as the climbs took their toll.

The general classification group caught the pair in the closing kilometres, with Colombia’s Einer Rubio then launching an attack in pursuit of a solo victory.

Rubio was unable to hold on in the final kilometre, with the remaining climbers left contesting a sprint to the line.

Higuita had the fastest finish of the climbers, with the BORA-Hansgrohe rider crossing the line in a winning time of 4 hours 58min 52sec.

BORA-Hansgrohe celebrated a one-two with Aleksandr Vlasov finishing as the runner-up on the same time as his team-mate.

The Russian cyclist is competing neutrally as part of the UCI’s response to the nation’s invasion of Ukraine.

Spain’s Juan Ayuso completed the top three on the stage as part of the lead group.

Race leader Dennis will look back on a successful day, with his Jumbo-Visma team helping him to finish just three seconds off the pace.

Dennis will head into the final stage with a 15-second advantage over Ayuso, with Vlasov a further three seconds down in third.

The final stage should suit Dennis, with the two-time world time trial champion hoping to maintain his advantage against the clock.

The race is set to conclude with a 16km individual time trial from Aigle to Villars.