🔗 Share this article Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Contract Ending Over 'Personal Belief' Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he called "deeply held convictions." Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza. "I ended my agreement for valid reasons, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post. He noted that his choice was carefully considered 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 ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he added. Team’s Response and Ongoing Case The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for their input. Gee acknowledged that departing from the team meant being without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but added it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad. Massive Claim and Rebranding News "I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and individual." He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that leaving the team was correct, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts. The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.