Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Over Personal Convictions

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract due to what he called "personal beliefs."

Race Exit and Underlying Reasons

The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to 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 on his social media accounts.

He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings

The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for their input.

Gee admitted that leaving the team meant being without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.

Substantial Demand and Team Changes

"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."

He shared that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.

The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.

Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.