Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Ending Over Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was carefully considered and followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
