Eddy Merckx backed Remco Evenpoel to have a strong showing at the 2020 Giro d'Italia, but only predicted whether the 20-year-old could contend for overall victory in his Grand Tour debut.

Evenepoel made a remarkable start to 2020 by winning the second stage of the Volta ao Algarve on Thursday at the summit of the Alto da Foia. The Belgian has already won last month's Vuelta a San Juan.

Merckx watched Evenpoel's victory in Portugal on TV and was later contacted by Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab) to assess the young rider and his prospects over the next three weeks.

"We'll have to wait and see," Merckx replied when asked about Evenpoel's hopes for the Giro. 'To begin with, the Italian col is much steeper than the one he has already attempted. The percentages of gradient are much higher.

"But given what he's already shown, it shouldn't be a problem, and I don't see why he can't handle three weeks of racing. Call me when the Giro is over. ......."

Merckx made his Grand Tour debut at the age of 21 in the 1967 Giro, finishing ninth overall and winning two stages in a race won by Felice Gimondi. Merckx returned a year later, beating Vittorio Adorni and Gimondi to reach a record of 11 Grand Tour wins."

Evenepoel has been repeatedly compared to Merckx since winning the European junior road race title by 10 minutes in 2018. He then skipped the under-23s and added the World Championships before turning pro last season with Deceuninck-QuickStep.

He made an immediate impact, winning the Clasica San Sebastian and European elite time trial titles in his debut campaign, a silver medal in the elite world championship time trial, and the overall win at the Tour of Belgium.

Evenepoel will continue in this vein in 2020, and Merckx praised his strength in breaking away from a group that included Vincenzo Nibali and Dan Martin in Thursday's Alto da Foia.

"His teammate [Joan Almeida-editor] set a high pace and was perfectly prepared. No one could attack. His acceleration in the last 500 meters was in a big gear, using a lot of power." We asked ourselves if he would be able to accelerate in a big gear when he turned pro. Lemko has what we call a "big suitcase."

"He has already proven in South America last month that he has strong preparation. The Grand Tour candidates are still building up to top condition, but they already know how great this young man is."