Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
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 follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team informed Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.