Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a massive damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to end his contract based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected 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 arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, despite 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 throughout their careers.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
