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Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "deeply held convictions."

Race Exit and Key Motivations

Gee, aged 28, who finished fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, left Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced widespread pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I ended my contract for valid reasons, as is every person’s right when they are unable to continue performing their work in the current situation," Gee explained in a social media post.

He noted that the decision was carefully considered and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his moral judgment, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters has also contacted the UCI for comment.

Gee acknowledged that departing from Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing for the team.

Massive Claim and Team Changes

"I recognize the team has a different view," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand said to exceed around 30 million euros – simply for exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."

He shared that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

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 complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their Israeli identity following over ten years.