Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Ending Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to end his contract based on what he called "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving the team meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but added this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
