🔗 Share this article Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Contract Ending Due to Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to end his contract due to what he called "deeply held convictions." Race Exit and Underlying Reasons Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza. "I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post. He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Ongoing Case Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter 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 admitted that departing from the team left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team. Substantial Demand and Team Changes "I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual." He shared 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 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.