Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a massive legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to end his contract based on what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he added.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
Separately, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
