Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he called "personal beliefs."

Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations

Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.

"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.

He noted that the decision 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 deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment.

Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing 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 financial demand reportedly over around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."

He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.

It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.

In related news, the team stated earlier this week that they will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.