Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a massive damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that departing from the team left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but added this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He expressed that this situation 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. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
