Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial legal demand totaling €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that the decision 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.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team told 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. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
