Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim Following Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a massive legal demand amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was carefully considered and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments 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 only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
