Traversed by D27 Elevation 1,182 m | Location Haut-Rhin, France Range Vosges | |
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Similar Vosges, Col d'Oderen, Col de Bramont, La Planche des Belles Filles, Col de la Schlucht | ||
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.
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Map of Col du Platzerwasel, 68380 Sondernach, France
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%. 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%. 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.
Tour de France
Including 2014, the col has been crossed three times by the Tour de France.
On the 10th stage of the 2014 Tour de France, Alberto Contador crashed on the descent from the Col du Platzerwasel, breaking his tibia. After riding on for 20 km, he eventually abandoned the Tour.