Col du Platzerwasel
The Col du Platzerwasel (elevation ) 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. Details of climb. From the north-east, the climb starts in Munster from where the climb is long, gaining 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 at an average gradient of 8.4 %. The steepest sections of the climb are at a gradient of 9.6% between and 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.