Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim Following Contract Termination Due to 'Personal Belief'
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to end his contract due to what he called "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations
The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race 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 when they are unable to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts.
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 related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added.
Official Stance and Ongoing Case
The team told 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 has also contacted the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but added this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing for the team.
Substantial Demand and Rebranding News
"I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual."
He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.
It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount during their racing years.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.
