Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros 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 "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed 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 issues deeply affected his conscience, he added.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is currently before 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 a contract or protection in case of injury, but added it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
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 said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
