🔗 Share this article Former Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Lawsuit Following Contract Ending Due to 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a massive legal demand totaling 30 million euros from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to end his contract based on what he described as "deeply held convictions." 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. The event was subject to widespread pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I terminated my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated on his social media accounts. He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and followed a broken relationship with the team's leader, as well as major worries related to racing for the team from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Ongoing Case The team told Reuters they could not to comment on the matter since the dispute is now with the arbitration panel of the UCI, the international cycling union. The news agency has also contacted the governing body for their input. Gee admitted that leaving the team left him without an agreement or insurance if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take as he could no longer keep competing for the team. Massive Claim and Rebranding News "I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "However, I now confront what is described as a financial demand said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as a professional and a person." He expressed that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the recent announcement about rebranding and organizational adjustments. It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Riders typically earn only a fraction of that amount during their racing years. Separately, Israel–Premier Tech stated earlier this week that the team would undergo a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.