Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was carefully considered and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person."
He shared that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech 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.
