By Oliver McIntyre
Preparations are underway in Alhaurín de la Torre and Estepona, the two Málaga towns that will host events during the Vuelta a Andalucía – Ruta del Sol cycling race, which launches this Wednesday, February 17.
The two towns will be the focus of attention during the final two stages of the five-day tour, with Alhaurín hosting a 21-kilometre time trial for the fourth stage, on Saturday, and Estepona serving as the final finish line of the race on Sunday.
The race, featuring some of the top cycling teams from around the world, starts on Wednesday with a 162-kilometre ride from Almonaster la Real in Huelva to the city of Sevilla. Thursday will see riders pump 186 kilometres from Palomares del Río outside Sevilla to the city of Córdoba. Friday the action moves to Granada, with a gruelling up-and-down mountain route starting in Monachil and covering 158 kilometres before arriving in Padul.