Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a massive damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving the team meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
