Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a massive legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to end his contract due to what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to 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 with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties under the existing circumstances," 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 personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
