Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but added it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer continue racing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the team's recent statement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount during their racing years.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
