🔗 Share this article Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "personal beliefs." Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I ended my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts. He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned. Official Stance and Legal Proceedings The team informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input. Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but added it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing with the squad. Massive Claim and Team Changes "I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person." He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount during their racing years. Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.