Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Contract Termination Over Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right when they are unable to keep fulfilling 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 major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving the team meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but added this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "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 shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
