Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Contract Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of 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 sum throughout their careers.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
