Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim Following Contract Termination Over Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a massive legal demand totaling €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
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 was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
