Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to end his contract due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to extensive 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 keep fulfilling their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
