🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a massive damages claim amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he called "deeply held convictions." Race Exit and Key Motivations Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I ended my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post. He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned. Official Stance and Legal Proceedings The team told Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for comment. Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing with the squad. Massive Claim and Team Changes "I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person." He expressed that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.