Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a massive damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was carefully considered and followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, 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.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team 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 also reached out to the governing body for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," 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 an athlete and a person."
He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief 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. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
