Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract based on what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for their input.
Gee admitted that departing from the team meant being without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but added this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad 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 during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
