Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries 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 told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, 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 recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – 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, despite the recent announcement 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 announced on Monday that the team will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
