Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit After Contract Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, 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 Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was carefully considered and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for their input.
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 accepted as he could no longer continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
