Canadian Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Over Personal Convictions
Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "deeply held convictions."
Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons
Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza.
"I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.
He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he added.
Team’s Response and Ongoing Case
The team informed Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment.
Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad.
Massive Claim and Team Changes
"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual."
He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite 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.
Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.
