The BMC Racing Team successfully protected the overall lead of Mathias Frank for the second straight day Wednesday at the Tour de Suisse while another one of the top contenders crashed out of the race.

Frank said there were a few nervous moments during the 178.4-km stage that ended in a bunch sprint won by Alexander Kristoff (Katusha Team) ahead of Peter Sagan (Cannondale Pro Cycling). World road champion Philippe Gilbert was the BMC Racing Team's best finisher in 13th.

"At the end, there was a lot of action, a lot of fighting going on," Frank said. "There were one or two situations where I wasn't in the best position. But 99 percent of the day went well and the team did a great job. Having a team around you like this is perfect. I didn't lose any time, so at the end it was a good day." Frank still leads Roman Kreuziger (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) by 23 seconds and Rui Costa (Movistar Team) by 35. But Costa's teammate, Giovanni Visconti – who had been fourth – crashed and could not continue. On Monday's Stage 3, 2012 Giro d'Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal also crashed and had to leave the race.

"You have to be attentive from beginning to the end," BMC Racing Team Directeur Sportif John Lelangue said. "We have to progress like we do in the Tour de France – day-by-day – and to protect Mathias and Tejay van Garderen and to come to the final time trial on Sunday in a good position. I am confident in the team we have. Those guys know what to do. They have already done big tours. They are classic guys and climbers. So there's no reason to be nervous."