Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that his choice was carefully considered and came after a broken 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 conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team informed Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
