Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that they will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
