🔗 Share this article Canadian Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit After Agreement Ending Due to Personal Convictions Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a substantial legal demand amounting to €30 million by his previous squad, Israel-Premier Tech. This comes after his decision to end his contract based on what he described as "personal beliefs." Race Exit and Underlying Reasons Gee, aged 28, after placing fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza. "I terminated my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained on his social media accounts. He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned. Official Stance and Legal Proceedings The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for their input. Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech 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 keep competing with the squad. Substantial Demand and Rebranding News "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person." He shared that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that sum during their racing years. Separately, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that they will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.