Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Contract Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement for valid reasons, as is every person’s right when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained 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 related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they could not to comment on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – 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 the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
