Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a substantial legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to end his contract due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was carefully considered and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he added.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but added this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.