🔗 Share this article Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Termination Due to Personal Convictions Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a massive legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to terminate his agreement due to what he described as "deeply held convictions." Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I terminated my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts. He noted that his choice was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned. Official Stance 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 arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment. Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but added this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing for the team. Massive Claim and Rebranding News "I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – 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, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts. The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum during their racing years. Separately, the team announced on Monday that they would undergo a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.