ZINAL, Switzerland (AFP) - Astana's Andreas Kloeden distanced one of his main rivals for the Tour de Romandie title Saturday after a hilly fourth stage won by Italian Francesco De Bonis of Gerolsteiner.

De Bonis claimed the fourth and penultimate stage of the Swiss stage race, finishing ahead of French climber John Gadret and Spaniard Manuel Beltran.

But it was Dutchman Thomas Dekker's failure to keep in touch with Kloeden on what proved a difficult day of climbing that provided the biggest drama.

Rabobank's defending champion began the day only six seconds down on Kloeden after the German beat him to victory in the race's time trial on Friday.

Kloeden promptly lay down his victory credentials on the day's final climbs where he played a pivotal role controlling the a group of chasing riders. Dekker trailed in well behind the German to drop outside the top ten in the general classification.

Kloeden now leads Liquigas rider Roman Kreuziger of the Czech Republic and Italian Marco Pinotti, of High Road, by 35 and 43 secs respectively ahead of Sunday's final stage.

Rabobank's best placed rider is former Tour of Spain winner Denis Menchov, who is fourth at 45.