🔗 Share this article Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed 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 based on what he called "personal beliefs." Departure Before Key Event and Underlying Reasons The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team just prior to September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with the conflict in Gaza. "I ended my agreement for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement when they are unable to keep fulfilling their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post. He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These issues weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Ongoing Case The team informed Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitration panel of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment. Gee admitted that departing from Israel-Premier Tech meant being without an agreement or protection in case of injury, but added this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to continue racing for the team. Substantial Demand and Rebranding News "I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I am now facing what is described as a damages claim reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person." He shared that these developments reinforce his view that departing the squad was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers. In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team will undertake a complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.