Former Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Contract Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial legal demand amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter as the case is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a financial demand reportedly over around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
Separately, the team announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
