Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Agreement Ending Over Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to end his contract based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they could not to comment on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, 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 recognize 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 upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief 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 sum during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
