Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a massive damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for their input.
Gee admitted that departing from the team meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"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 – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, regardless of the team's recent statement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
