Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Over Personal Convictions
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 choice to terminate his agreement due to what he called "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
