Former Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Contract Ending Over Personal Convictions

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand totaling €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."

Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations

The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza.

"I terminated my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts.

He noted 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 issues deeply affected his conscience, he added.

Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings

The team informed Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for comment.

Gee admitted 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 since he was unable to continue racing for the team.

Massive Claim and Team Changes

"I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person."

He shared that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and organizational adjustments.

It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount during their racing years.

In related news, the team announced on Monday that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.