🔗 Share this article Former Rider Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim After Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs." 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 was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza. "I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post. He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Ongoing Case Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable 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 acknowledged that departing from the team left him without a contract or protection in case of injury, but stated it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad. Massive Claim and Rebranding News "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person." He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers. In related news, the team stated earlier this week that the team will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.