Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that the decision 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 safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that departing from the team left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
