Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
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 shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was carefully considered and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without a contract or protection in case of injury, but added it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.