Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
