Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Contract Ending Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a massive damages claim amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests 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 explained in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was carefully considered and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of 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, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
