Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to end his contract 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, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he added.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but added it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. 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 they will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
