Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim totaling 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left 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 agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he added.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but added this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.