Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Over Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he called "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving the team meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
