Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
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 just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement 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 not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
