Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to end his contract due to what he called "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with 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 on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to comment on the matter as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
