Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit After Contract Termination Over Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as 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 told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
