Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Over Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, 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 the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team 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 could not to comment on the matter as the case is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but added it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
