Velez-Malaga faces major traffic upheaval as La Vuelta arrives on September 11

Velez-Malaga is preparing for a major sporting event on Friday, September 11, when the Axarquia capital hosts the start of Stage 19 of La Vuelta a Espana 2026. Residents and drivers face parking bans and traffic restrictions from Thursday morning as preparations get underway.

Parking bans begin on Thursday

Parking restrictions will start at 7am on Thursday, September 10, and stay in place until 5pm on Friday. Affected areas include Calle Explanada Estacion, Mercado Mayoristas, areas around the bus station, Calle Blas Infante, Calle Axarquia, Calle Enrique Atencia Portillo, Carretera de Loja and several other streets close to the race infrastructure.

Vehicles left in restricted areas could be towed away, so residents are being called on to move their cars before the restrictions begin. Traffic controls are also expected to affect access to parts of the town, with closures potentially starting around 40 minutes before the race for safety reasons.

La Vuelta riders leave Velez-Malaga at 11.50am

Friday’s neutralised start is scheduled for 11.50am, with the race getting underway at 12.06pm after around 8.3 kilometres of controlled riding. The route leaves Velez-Malaga via the N-340a before passing through Benajarafe, Rincon de la Victoria and Malaga, then heading inland towards Coin, Yunquera and Ronda. Riders will later return towards the coast before finishing at Peñas Blancas above Estepona.

According to the official race route, Stage 19 covers 210.8 kilometres and features a first-category climb to Peñas Blancas, where the final 18.7 kilometres average 6.5 per cent.

Plan journeys before race day

Anyone needing to travel through Velez-Malaga on Thursday or Friday should allow extra time and check temporary signs before setting off. Local businesses may also face changes to deliveries, access and loading arrangements.

DGT, the government department for traffic, has already published a specific traffic resolution covering the Vuelta stage, confirming special measures for the event.

For cycling fans, however, the disruption brings a rare chance to watch a major international race leave the Axarquia, with the stage coming just three days before the 2026 Vuelta reaches its final finish in Granada.

The official route lists Velez-Malaga as the departure town for the race’s antepenultimate stage.