What's the matter with you guys?!
No Spaniards on the podium?... A. Schleck for the victory?!
Do you follow news and interviews... Have you watched Vuelta before?
Where are Joaquin Rodriguez, Igor Anton, Arroyo, Sastre, Mosquera, Tondo Volpin, L.L. Sanchez, Marchante...?
Menchov, F. Schleck, Nibali, Kreuziger... certainly are great cyclists and serious contenders, but only if they're starting to win the race. Often they're starting the race just to make strong line up. Strong line up for their teams (how they could justify invitation and maintain their status) and strong line up of the race in general.
It would be great to see Spaniard - free podium, it would mean really exciting racing, but there will be, at least, one Spaniard on podium. Which still means exciting racing... There's no clear favorite, no ProTour rider who's targeting just this race.
Nibali, Menchov, Schleck, Kreuziger all have contracts for next (two) seasons... They don't need to push themselves in order to secure good contracts. They'll go for it only if there's clear shot for overall. They all are prioritizing other (GT) races in their careers.
Menchov looks like the strongest pick for the podium out of non - Spaniards... He's in good form, former winner, enough experienced.
Joaquin Rodrigues will be on the podium too, I think.
Igor Anton, a Caisse rider (Arroyo, Sanchez, Bruseghin), Sastre, Mosquera, Marchante, Volpin... Will be in the mix for the podium.
So, two Spaniards and a foreign rider on the podium. I can't tell the order, but names are there.