Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Contract Ending Over Personal Convictions

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "deeply held convictions."

Race Exit and Underlying Reasons

The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza.

"I ended my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.

He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he added.

Official Stance and Legal Proceedings

Israel-Premier Tech informed 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. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for their input.

Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but added this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.

Substantial Demand and Rebranding News

"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."

He shared that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.

The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.

In related news, the team announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.