Tadey Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), who made a breakthrough in this year's Vuelta a España, said he hopes to finish his first Grand Tour on the podium in Madrid.

Pogacar intends to play a defensive game in the remaining five days of the Vuelta a España. But if there is a chance to attack, he told the press, he will take it.

At just 20 years old, Pogacar, who has already won two stages and is the leader of the best young riders, is currently in third place overall, just 56 seconds behind second place Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) and just 17 seconds behind fourth place Miguel Angel Lopez ( Astana Pro Team) sandwiched between them.

It's a tricky situation, but Pogacar seems to be handling it well.

"My goal was to learn as much as I could and get as much experience as possible out of this Vuelta," Pogacar said. [But sometimes things turn around, and it's great for the team that I was able to take a chance and bring something good to Madrid.

"Now I'm on the podium and wearing the white jersey. I want to defend that [white] jersey in Madrid and I will give it 100 percent. But if I have a chance to attack, I will take it. I will fight until the end."

Looking ahead to the next five stages, Pogacar says every day is complicated. Wednesday's 17th stage, at 219km, is the longest of this year's Vuelta and is completely flat. It is mostly overlooked because of the confrontational mountain stages west of Madrid that are just around the corner.

Pogacar notes that there is a risk of crosswinds on the exposed plateau in central Spain on Wednesday. And, of course, there are two tough climbing stages on Thursday and Saturday, and a tricky stage to Toledo on Friday with a cobbled uphill finish.

"There will probably be a lot of attacks, but that's racing. But that's racing. I don't think Roglic will collapse." Valverde might win, but I don't think he will. For me, Lopez is more of a threat than Valverde."

Pogacar's season is almost over at the Vuelta a España, but not quite. The Slovenian will first represent his country in the mixed team relay and road race at the World Championships. He will cap off a successful season that includes victories at the Tour of the Algarve and Tour of California, and a spectacular showing at the Vuelta a España.

And next year, he said, "I have no idea.

A Tour de France appearance seems likely, Pogacar says, but "there's also the Giro d'Italia."

And while GC in stage races appears to be his greatest strength at the moment, Pogacar says he hopes to return to the classics again next year.

"You can't do everything," he says. But now, at the Vuelta, Pogacar is doing more than anyone expected.