🔗 Share this article Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "personal beliefs." Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts. He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned. Official Stance and Legal Proceedings Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to comment on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment. Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing for the team. Substantial Demand and Rebranding News "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person." He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments. The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.