Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," 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 both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he added.
Official Stance and Legal Proceedings
The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for their input.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him 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.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person."
He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum during their racing years.
In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
