Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions
Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a massive damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he called "deeply held convictions."
Race Exit and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
"I ended my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts.
He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team told Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for comment.
Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without a contract or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Team Changes
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person."
He shared that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts.
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 would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.
