Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Over Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a massive damages claim amounting to €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with 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 duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and followed an irreparable 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 deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
