🔗 Share this article Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Due to Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs." Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza. "I ended my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts. He noted that the decision was carefully considered and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings The team told Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for comment. Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing for the team. Massive Claim and Rebranding News "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person." He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite 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 sum during their racing years. Separately, the team stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.