Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs."

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. That race was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.

He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he added.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.

Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but added this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing for the team.

Massive Claim and Rebranding News

"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."

He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.

In related news, the team announced on Monday that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.