Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to end his contract based on what he called "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
