Former Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand totaling €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
