Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim After Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but added it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
