🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Damages Claim After Contract Termination Over Personal Convictions Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive damages claim 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 called "personal beliefs." Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth overall at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza. "I ended my contract with just cause, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts. He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to comment on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for their input. Gee acknowledged that departing from the team left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but added it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer keep competing with the squad. Substantial Demand and Team Changes "I understand the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person." He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that departing the squad was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and organizational adjustments. It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that sum throughout their careers. In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.