Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Contract Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he added.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim 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 strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
