🔗 Share this article Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Contract Ending Over Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a massive legal demand totaling €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 Key Motivations The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I ended my agreement with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post. He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned. Official Stance and Ongoing Case The team told Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for their input. Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without an agreement or insurance in case of injury, but added this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team. Substantial Demand and Team Changes "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual." He expressed that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.