Former Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right when they are unable 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 followed a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for comment.
Gee acknowledged that departing from the team meant being without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a financial demand reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that they would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
