Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim Following Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he described as "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post.
He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on 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 currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving the team meant being without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what is described as a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
