Costa del Sol glory. Coast stops for La Vuelta emotion for world cycling stars

Sports fans have a date with a major sporting occasion on Friday, September 11, when La Vuelta Ciclista España rolls into the province for a spectacular finish at Peñas Blancas overlooking Estepona.

Stage 19 of the world-famous race starts in Velez-Malaga before taking riders on a rapid 210.8-kilometre journey through Malaga Province, with the peloton whizzing through San Pedro de Alcantara before heading at breakneck speed towards Estepona and the final climb into Sierra Bermeja.

World TV coverage

For local residents, it is far more than a fleeting glimpse of elite cyclists. La Vuelta brings television exposure that can put roads, beaches, mountains and towns in front of audiences far beyond Spain in this prestigious world-famous competition.

Few backdrops could make cycling look quite as spectacular. Riders will travel from the Axarquia region through Malaga and towards the western Costa del Sol before facing the tough ascent to Peñas Blancas, where the finish comes after almost 19 kilometres of climbing at an average gradient of 6.5 per cent.

Event treated as the Costa del Sol’s sporting highlight of year

Estepona is preparing for its moment with a Fan Zone on Avenida España and 3,000 free Vuelta T-shirts being distributed on Friday. Schools are also finishing early, giving families an opportunity to enjoy the spectacle and avoid the temporary road closures.

Previous research found that 93.3 per cent of surveyed residents believed La Vuelta improved their locality’s international image, while more than 90 per cent felt it encouraged more tourism.

Andalucia is expecting millions of euros in additional economic activity from this year’s Vuelta, with the hotel sector estimating between €5.5 million and €8.5 million in additional regional impact.

For the Costa del Sol, Friday offers an unforgettable chance to see world-class cycling up close in a breathtaking background while letting TV viewers around the world see what makes this corner of Spain such a spectacular place to visit. Sometimes a few minutes of cycling can leave a long-lasting impression.