Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Contract Termination Over Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, 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 in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract 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 a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team informed Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter as the case is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input.
Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech 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 went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He shared that these developments 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 only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
