Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Ending Over 'Personal Belief'

Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a substantial legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract due to what he called "deeply held convictions."

Race Exit and Underlying Reasons

Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I ended my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work under the existing circumstances," 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 major worries related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.

Official Stance and Ongoing Case

The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for comment.

Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, 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 understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."

He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.

In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.