Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Contract Ending Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a massive legal demand amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he added.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
