Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand totaling 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team 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 terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
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 ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but added this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
