Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim After Agreement Ending Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive damages claim amounting to €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that the decision was carefully considered and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or protection in case of injury, but added this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team 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 just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
