Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit After Contract Ending Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he added.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for their input.
Gee admitted that departing from the team meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, 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 strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
