| Col du Platzerwasel | |
| Elevation M: | 1182 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Traversed: | D27 |
| Map: | Alps |
| Label: | Col du Platzerwasel |
| Coords: | 47.9694°N 7.0431°W |
| Location: | Haut-Rhin, France |
| Range: | Vosges Mountains |
The Col du Platzerwasel (elevation 1182m (3,878feet)) 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]
From the north-east, the climb starts in Munster from where the climb is 16.2km (10.1miles) long, gaining 781m (2,562feet) 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 7.1km (04.4miles) at an average gradient of 8.4%.[2] The steepest sections of the climb are at a gradient of 9.6% between 60NaN0 and 40NaN0 from the summit.[3]
Including 2014, the col has been crossed four times by the Tour de France.[4]
| Year | Stage | Category | Start | Finish | Leader at the summit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 1 | Belfort | Le Markstein Fellering | |
| 2014 | 1 | Mulhouse | La Planche des Belles Filles | ||
| 2009 | 13 | 1 | Vittel | Colmar | |
| 1967 | 8 | 2 | 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]
It will be the final mountain climb in the 2023 Tour de France, in stage 20 on 22 July 2023, before a stage finish nearby at Le Markstein Fellering.
The col was used on Stage 7 of the 2022 Tour de France Femmes.[7]