Former Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right 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 came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.
Separately, the team announced on Monday that they will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
