🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he is confronting a massive legal demand amounting to €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his choice to end his contract 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, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I terminated my contract 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 the decision was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he added. Official Stance and Ongoing Case Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they were unable to provide a statement regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment. Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but added it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer continue racing with the squad. Massive Claim and Rebranding News "I understand the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person." He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding 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, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding following over ten years.