🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim After Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive damages claim totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his choice to end his contract based on what he described as "personal beliefs." Race Exit and Underlying Reasons Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine connected with the conflict in Gaza. "I terminated my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post. He noted that the decision was carefully considered and followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he added. Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for their input. Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without a contract or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he accepted since he was unable to keep competing with the squad. Substantial Demand and Team Changes "I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual." He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts. The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers. In related news, the team announced on Monday that they will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.