🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Over 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions." Race Exit and Key Motivations The 28-year-old, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. The event was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza. "I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post. He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings The team informed Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the UCI for comment. Gee admitted that leaving the team meant being without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but added it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer keep competing with the squad. Massive Claim and Team Changes "I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, 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 an athlete and a person." He shared that this situation reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount during their racing years. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.