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Stage 18Colmar - Montbeliard 164km |
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From Colmar to Montbeliard, from "Alsace" to "Franche Comté," the riders will have to pass the last difficulties, the "Ballon de Guebwiller," or "Grand Ballon," the highest mountain in the "Vosges" (1424 meters), the "col de Hurdsteuck" and part of the "Ballon d'Alsace," before stopping in Montbeliard for the first time. Montbeliard, dating back to the 10th century, now has 110 000 inhabitants. It owes its growth to the textile, clock-making, car-making and tools industries. The Peugeot coffee grind was produced there in the second half of the 19th century and their first car was made in 1890. The Montbéliard-Sochaux-Valentigney area is very big on cycling and soccer. Climbs: km 21.1 Côte de Gueberschwihr 4.4-km climb at 8.2 % km 61.5 Grand-Ballon 21.8-km climb at 4.3 % km 85.2 Col du Hundsruck 5.7-km climb at 6.8 % km 120.7 Ballon d'Alsace 6.8-km climb at 7.9 % 
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