Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to end his contract due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving the team meant being without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
Separately, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
