Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim Following Contract Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that his choice was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but added it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
Separately, the team announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
