Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Agreement Ending Over Personal Convictions

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."

Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations

The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts.

He noted that the decision was carefully considered and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

The team informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for comment.

Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer continue racing 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 financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."

He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers.

Separately, Israel–Premier Tech 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.