🔗 Share this article Former Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to €30 million from his former team, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he described as "personal beliefs." Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations The 28-year-old, after placing fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza. "I terminated my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts. He emphasized that the decision was carefully considered and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added. Official Stance and Legal Proceedings Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment. Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer keep competing with the squad. Substantial Demand and Rebranding News "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than 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 team's recent statement of branding changes and organizational adjustments. The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.