🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim After Agreement Termination Due to 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he called "deeply held convictions." Race Exit and Underlying Reasons Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post. He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and came after 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 issues deeply affected his conscience, he added. Official Stance and Ongoing Case The team informed Reuters they could not 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 also reached out to the UCI for their input. Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or protection if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer 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 an athlete and individual." He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad 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 amount throughout their careers. Separately, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.