🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Termination Over Personal Convictions Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive damages claim amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he called "personal beliefs." Race Exit and Key Motivations The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post. He noted that his choice was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned. Official Stance and Legal Proceedings The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for their input. Gee acknowledged that departing from the team meant being without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing for the team. Massive Claim and Rebranding News "I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual." He shared that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount during their racing years. Separately, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.