🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Over Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a substantial legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he called "deeply held convictions." Race Exit and Key Motivations Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza. "I terminated my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post. He noted that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned. Official Stance and Legal Proceedings The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for their input. Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but added this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer keep competing with the squad. Massive Claim and Rebranding News "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person." He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers. Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.