Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he called "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter as the case is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person."
He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, 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 sum during their racing years.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
