🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim Following Contract Termination Over Personal Convictions Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to end his contract based on what he described as "deeply held convictions." Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations 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 experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza. "I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts. He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Ongoing Case The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment. Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but added it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team. Substantial Demand and Team Changes "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual." He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.