Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim After Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand totaling 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he added.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they could not to comment on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but added this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
