Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Agreement Ending Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to end his contract due to 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, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without a contract 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.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad 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 just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
Separately, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
