Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to end his contract based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount during their racing years.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.
