Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Over 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a substantial legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to end his contract based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted 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 personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
