Tour de France 2014 Route stage 11: Besançon - Oyonnax

Following the rest day, stage 11 takes the riders 187,5 kilometres from Besançon to Oyonnax. Sprinters have their reward for surviving the ride to La Planche des Belle Filles. (Slideshow route/profile)

Tour de France 2014 route stage 11: Besançon > Oyonnax

Today’s start is close to the Swiss border. A flat stage to shake off any rest day cobwebs. The sprint teams will have to seize the opportunity as they don't have too many left in this Tour.

The historic fortress Besançon is a familiar host of the Tour de France. It is the birth place of Victor Hugo and, to focus on cycling, Jean de Gribaldy. Gribaldy was a cycling pro but best known for his team management, and the discovery of, among others - Sean Kelly and Joaquim Agostinho.

Oyannax, oddly featuring three cupcakes and a pine tree in the coat of arms, celebrates its debut as a Tour town. It is in the valley of the River Jura. The main local activity is to manufacture plastic.