🔗 Share this article Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Contract Ending Due to Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a massive damages claim amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to end his contract due to what he described as "personal beliefs." Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza. "I ended my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts. He noted that the decision was carefully considered and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Ongoing Case Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter as the case is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for their input. Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but added this was a chance he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing for the team. Substantial Demand and Team Changes "I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – simply for upholding my basic rights as a professional and individual." He shared that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments. 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, the team announced on Monday that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.