Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Over Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand amounting to €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team meant being without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"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 an athlete and individual."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
