Tour de France 2014 Route stage 9: Gérardmer - Mulhouse

We're in the Vosges so the 166 kilometre stage from Gérardmer to Mulhouse contains plenty of climbing with 6 climbs in total. It could be a day for the breakaway. (Slideshow route/profile)

Tour de France 2014 route stage 9: Gérardmer >Mulhouse

Gérardmer is a small tourist town on the shores of a mountain lake. The riders travel from here through beautiful green landscapes to Mulhouse. The name Mulhouse may raise questions since it doesn’t sound French at all. It is derived from the word mühle, which is mill in German. The town used to be independent within the Holy Roman Empire and only in 1798 did it become part of France.

It's a bumpy ride today and could be perfect for a strong rider who doesn't feature high on GC to challenge from a breakaway. The winner will join the likes of Nicolas Frantz (1925), Joaquim Agostinho (1969) and Bernard Hinault (1981) who have won stages into Mulhouse.