Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Contract Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event 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 when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, 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 a contract or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
