Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit After Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions

Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to end his contract based on what he described as "personal beliefs."

Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons

Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I terminated my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.

He noted that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

The team told Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter as the case is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for comment.

Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing for the team.

Massive Claim and Rebranding News

"I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."

He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.

In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.