Col du Platzerwasel
The Col du Platzerwasel (elevation 1,182 m (3,878 ft)) is a mountain pass situated in the Vosges Mountains in the Haut-Rhin department of France, between Sondernach and Le Markstein. It has been crossed occasionally during the Tour de France cycle race, including on Stage 10 of the 2014 race.[2]
Col du Platzerwasel | |
---|---|
The summit of the col | |
Elevation | 1,182 m (3,878 ft)[1] |
Traversed by | D27 |
Location | Haut-Rhin, France |
Range | Vosges Mountains |
Coordinates | 47°58′10″N 7°2′35″E |
Col du Platzerwasel Location of Col du Platzerwasel |
Details of climb
From the north-east, the climb starts in Munster from where the climb is 16.2 km (10.1 mi) long, gaining 781 m (2,562 ft) in altitude, at an average gradient of 4.8%.[3] At Sondernach, the climb meets the descent from the Col du Petit Ballon; from here the summit is 7.1 km (4.4 mi) at an average gradient of 8.4%.[2] The steepest sections of the climb are at a gradient of 9.6% between 6 km (4 mi) and 4 km (2 mi) from the summit.[3]
Tour de France
Including 2014, the col has been crossed three times by the Tour de France.[4]
Year | Stage | Category | Start | Finish | Leader at the summit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 10 | 1 | Mulhouse | La Planche des Belles Filles | |
2009 | 13 | 1 | Vittel | Colmar | |
1967 | 8 | 2 | Strasbourg | Ballon d'Alsace | |
On the 10th stage of the 2014 Tour de France, Alberto Contador crashed on the descent from the Col du Platzerwasel,[5] breaking his tibia. After riding on for 20 km, he eventually abandoned the Tour.[6]
References
- Per IGN map
- "Stage 10: Mulhouse to La Planche des Belles Filles". Tour de France. Amaury Sport Organisation. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- "Col de Platzerwasel - Munster". www.climbbybike.com. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- "Le col du Platzerwasel dans le Tour de France" (in French). ledicodutour. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- Cary, Tom (14 July 2014). "Alberto Contador crashes out as Vincenzo Nibali takes Stage 10 and yellow jersey". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Tour de France 2014: Alberto Contador pulls out on stage 10". BBC Sport. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.