🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Contract Termination Over 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he described as "deeply held convictions." Race Exit and Key Motivations Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. The event was subject to widespread demonstrations related to Palestine connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I terminated my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work in the current situation," Gee explained on his social media accounts. He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and followed an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he added. Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings The team told Reuters they could not 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 UCI for comment. Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but stated this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing with the squad. Substantial Demand and Rebranding News "I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and a person." He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, despite the team's recent statement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts. The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers. Separately, the team stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.