Lorraine Williamson
La Vuelta a España will cross Málaga province today, Friday 11 September, bringing road closures, bus diversions and delays across a large part of the Costa del Sol. The race begins in Vélez-Málaga and passes through Málaga city before heading inland towards Ronda. It will then return to the western Costa del Sol for a demanding mountain finish above Estepona.
What is La Vuelta a España?
La Vuelta a España is one of professional cycling’s three Grand Tours, alongside the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. Held over three weeks, it brings many of the world’s leading road cyclists together for a demanding series of flat, mountain and time-trial stages.
The 2026 race began in Monaco on 22 August and finishes in Granada on Sunday 13 September. Its 21 stages cover more than 3,300 kilometres across Monaco, France, Andorra and Spain, with the final days concentrated in Andalucía.
Roads across Málaga city affected from 11.30 am
The peloton is expected to enter Málaga city at about 12.30 pm, although timings may change depending on the speed of the race. Road closures along the route are due to begin at approximately 11.30 am, with streets reopening progressively once the riders, support vehicles and race caravan have passed.
The route crosses the city from east to west, taking in Carretera de Almería, Avenida Juan Sebastián Elcano, Avenida Pintor Joaquín Sorolla, Paseo Marítimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Cánovas del Castillo and Plaza General Torrijos.
It will then continue along Paseo del Parque, Alameda Principal, Avenida de Andalucía, Avenida Blas Infante and the A-357 towards Estación de Cártama. Connecting roads will also be affected while the race passes through.
Most Málaga bus routes face disruption
Nearly all EMT Málaga bus services are expected to experience changes to their routes, stops or schedules. Lines 15, 18, 22, 27 and 28 are the exceptions currently listed as operating without disruption.
Drivers have been advised to avoid the race route and use Málaga’s ring roads where possible. Bus passengers should check the EMT app or official service updates before travelling, particularly between late morning and early afternoon.
Where does today’s stage finish?
Despite crossing Málaga city, the stage does not finish there. The 210.8-kilometre route continues through the province, taking riders over the second-category Puerto de las Abejas and Puerto del Viento before reaching Ronda.
The peloton is expected near Ronda at around 3.10 pm, approaching from El Burgo before following the ring road towards San Pedro de Alcántara. Traffic restrictions are expected to begin between 30 minutes and one hour before the riders arrive.
From there, the race descends towards San Pedro and continues to Estepona. Riders will then face the final 18.8-kilometre climb to Peñas Blancas, which has an average gradient of 6.5% and sections reaching 15%.
Spanish rider leads La Vuelta into decisive weekend
Spain’s Enric Mas starts Friday’s stage wearing the red jersey as the overall leader. He holds an advantage of one minute and 37 seconds over Slovenia’s Primož Roglič, with Austria’s Félix Gall third, three minutes and one second behind.
Switzerland’s Stefan Küng won Thursday’s individual time trial, finishing 33 seconds ahead of Mas. However, that was a victory in one stage rather than the overall race. Mas’s combined time across the first 18 stages keeps him at the top of the general classification as La Vuelta enters its decisive mountain weekend.
A final victory would carry particular significance for Spanish cycling. Mas is attempting to become the first Spanish rider to win La Vuelta since Alberto Contador in 2014.
Where La Vuelta goes next
On Saturday, the competition moves into Granada province for its final major mountain test. Stage 20 runs for 187 kilometres from La Calahorra to the Collado del Alguacil, with approximately 4,850 metres of climbing.
The race ends on Sunday 13 September with a 99-kilometre final stage from Carrefour Granada into Granada itself. The closing circuit will include the Alhambra before the overall winner of the 2026 Vuelta a España is crowned in the city.
For Costa del Sol residents, the most immediate concern is today’s travel disruption. Anyone using the main coastal roads, travelling through Málaga or heading towards Ronda, San Pedro or Estepona should allow additional time and expect temporary closures throughout the day.