Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that his choice 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 issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team meant being without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."
He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
