🔗 Share this article

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial legal demand amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs."

Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons

Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza.

"I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post.

He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he added.

Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings

The team told Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for their input.

Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract 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 recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."

He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers.

Separately, the team announced on Monday that they would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.