Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told 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. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
