Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim After Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He noted that the decision was carefully considered and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he added.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they could not to comment on the matter as the case is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team meant being without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that this situation reinforce his view 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. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
