Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement for valid reasons, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," 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 factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He shared that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.
Separately, the team announced on Monday that the team will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.