Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Contract Ending Over 'Personal Belief'

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a massive legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he called "personal beliefs."

Race Exit and Underlying Reasons

The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I terminated my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.

He emphasized that his choice was carefully considered and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he added.

Official Stance and Ongoing Case

Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for comment.

Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer continue racing for the team.

Massive Claim and Rebranding News

"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."

He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.

It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.

In related news, the team announced on Monday that they would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.