Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a substantial legal demand amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
