🔗 Share this article Former Rider Derek Gee Faces 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Contract Ending Due to 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee stated publicly he faces a massive damages claim amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to end his contract 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 the Vuelta a España in September. That race experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to the conflict in Gaza. "I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts. He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors deeply affected his moral judgment, he added. Official Stance and Legal Proceedings The team told Reuters they could not to comment regarding this issue since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the UCI for comment. Gee acknowledged that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without a contract or insurance in case of injury, but added this was a chance he accepted as he could no longer continue racing with the squad. Substantial Demand and Rebranding News "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person." He shared that these developments strengthens my belief that departing the squad was correct, regardless of the team's recent statement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. 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 complete rebranding for the 2026 season, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.