“Van Aert has had his preparations disrupted, Kuss hasn’t reached his best level, and Yates has to be carrying fatigue from the….

**Van Aert has had his preparations disrupted, Kuss hasn’t reached his best level, and Yates has to be carrying fatigue from the Giro**

As Team Visma–Lease a Bike finalizes its Tour de France squad, concerns remain over the form and condition of some of its top stars. Wout van Aert, Sepp Kuss, and Adam Yates have all faced challenges in the lead-up that could complicate the team’s plans for the general classification battle.

Van Aert has had his preparations disrupted following a crash earlier this season that forced him to miss major classics and delay his return to racing. Though the Belgian powerhouse has resumed training, questions linger about whether he can hit peak condition in time for the Tour. His usual role as super-domestique and stage hunter is critical to Visma’s tactical flexibility.

Meanwhile, Sepp Kuss—winner of last year’s Vuelta a España—hasn’t yet reached his best level this season. The American climber has struggled for top form in early races and has admitted that adapting to a new leadership role last year added physical and mental demands. His ability to support or contend himself in the high mountains could be vital if Visma hopes to dethrone UAE Team Emirates and Jonas Vingegaard’s other rivals.

Adam Yates, for his part, carries question marks around fatigue after a tough Giro d’Italia. While Yates delivered strong performances for UAE Team Emirates in Italy, his schedule leaves little time for full recovery before tackling the Tour’s brutal three weeks. It raises doubts about whether he can play a decisive support role or aim for high GC himself.

Team staff remain publicly optimistic, insisting the depth of the squad and careful planning will overcome these hurdles. But the trio’s uneven build-up means Visma’s Tour ambitions could face greater uncertainty than in previous years.