Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a massive legal demand totaling €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad 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 informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without a contract or protection in case of injury, but added it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what is described as a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
