Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a substantial legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to end his contract based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to comment on the matter since the dispute is now with 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 Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
