Frank had been part of the day's original, nine-man breakaway and was first to summit the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria (3,798 metres). With two kilometres to go in the 146km race, he attacked what was left of the escape group and soloed in eight seconds ahead of runner-up Chris Anker Sorensen (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) and Matija Kvasina (Team Gourmetfein-Simplon), who was third.

"I knew this was the perfect stage for me," Frank said. "I was in the first move at the beginning and we really had to push hard on the Grossglockner because there were a lot of attacks from behind. But I could I feel I was riding strong. I haven't won so many races so this is really nice."

Frank's last victory was the overall of the Grand Prix Tell in Switzerland in August of 2009. In May, he helped teammate Tejay van Garderen win the Amgen Tour of California while finishing fourth himself. At the Tour de Suisse last month, he was second on Stage 2 to take the race lead, which he held for five days.

BMC Assistant Director Jackson Stewart said he knew Frank had the form to win a stage. "It took him a while to come around from some sickness and his crash at nationals, but he was really motivated today," he said. "I went up to him in the car after the first climb – which was really hard – and he said he was feeling good." Frank's success follows Tuesday's stage win by BMC Racing Team Norwegian national road champion Thor Hushovd ahead of teammate Daniel Oss. With four days of the race to go, Kevin Seeldraeyers (Astana Pro Team) leads the race overall.