Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Contract Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand totaling €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he described as "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they could not to comment on the matter as the case 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 comment.
Gee acknowledged that departing from the team meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but added it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount during their racing years.
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 Israeli identity after more than a decade.
