Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute 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 departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
