Costa del Sol saddles up to host first stages of La Vuelta

THE Costa del Sol is set to go bonkers for bicycles at the weekend, as the first stage of La Vuelta, Spain’s biggest cycling race, gets under way on Saturday (August 22).

The first stage, the short but technical 7.4-kilometre team time trial, is hosted by Puerto Banus and Marbella, running right along the coast, before stage two sees the world’s biggest names in cycling tackle the climb from Alhaurin de la Torre to the stunning surroundings of the Caminito del Rey walkway. This Sunday stage also sees the riders pass through Alhaurin el Grande and Coin.

On Monday, a 158.4-kilometre route will take the riders from Mijas to Malaga, circling past the city into the Axarquia, then heading back into Malaga along the coast, passing through Velez-Malaga, Torre del Mar, Benajarafe and Rincon de la Victoria, before finishing up in the centre of Malaga.

Stage four is the last hosted on the Costa del Sol, as Estepona sees off the peloton on their way to Vejer de la Frontera in Cadiz. The riders will race along the coast as far as Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro, before turning inland at San Roque.

It’s all due to get going at 6.40pm on Saturday, and you can find detailed information on times and the routes at http://www.lavuelta.com/la-vuelta/2015/us/overall-route.html