Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Over Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for their input.
Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
