Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim After Contract Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a massive damages claim amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict 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 carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but added this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
