Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to end his contract based on what he called "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they could not to comment on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance 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 went on. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
