🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Agreement Ending Over Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This follows his choice to end his contract due to what he called "deeply held convictions." Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts. He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Ongoing Case Israel-Premier Tech 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. Reuters also reached out to the governing body for comment. Gee acknowledged that departing from the team meant being without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad. Massive Claim and Team Changes "I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual." He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments. The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum during their racing years. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.