Former Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Agreement Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a massive damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team meant being without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
