Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand totaling €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he added.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
