Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a massive damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He noted that the decision was carefully considered and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for their input.
Gee acknowledged that departing from the team meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but added this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer continue racing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
