🔗 Share this article Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Faces €30m Lawsuit After Agreement Ending Over Personal Convictions Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he is confronting a massive legal demand amounting to 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to terminate his agreement based on what he called "personal beliefs." Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at this year’s Giro d’Italia, departed from his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race was subject to extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to the conflict in Gaza. "I terminated my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated on his social media accounts. He noted that his choice was carefully considered and followed a broken relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he added. Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings Israel-Premier Tech informed Reuters they could not to comment on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for their input. Gee admitted that leaving the team meant being without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but added this was a chance he accepted since he was unable to keep competing for the team. Substantial Demand and Rebranding News "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim reportedly over around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person." He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, regardless of the recent announcement of branding changes and cosmetic structural shifts. The basis is uncertain what the €30m figure represents. Riders typically earn just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers. Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they would undergo a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.