Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing 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 an irreparable relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving 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 as he could no longer continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, 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 shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount 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 current Israeli branding following over ten years.
