Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated 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 in a social media post.
He noted that the decision was carefully considered and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
