Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim Following Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a massive damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
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 both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team meant being without a contract 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 recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
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, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
