Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to 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, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is currently before the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, 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 went on. "However, I am now facing what is described as a financial demand reportedly over around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.