Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that departing from the team left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.
Separately, the team announced on Monday that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
