Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Agreement Ending Over Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. 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, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I understand 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 – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental 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 organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
