Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Over Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he called "personal beliefs."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post.
He emphasized that his choice was carefully considered and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.
In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
