Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a massive legal demand amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team meant being without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person."
He shared that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
