Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Agreement Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive damages claim amounting to €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 Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he added.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to comment on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but added it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
Separately, the team 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.
