🔗 Share this article Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts 30 Million Euro Damages Claim After Agreement Termination Over 'Personal Belief' Canadian cyclist Derek Gee has revealed he faces a substantial damages claim totaling €30 million from his former team, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to end his contract based on 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, departed from Israel-Premier Tech shortly before the Vuelta a España in September. The event experienced extensive demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I ended my agreement 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 came after an irreparable relationship with the team's leader, as well as serious concerns about competing for the squad from both a safety and personal-belief standpoint. These issues deeply affected his moral judgment, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings The team told Reuters they were unable to provide a statement on the matter since the dispute is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for comment. Gee admitted that departing from the team meant being without a contract or protection if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he accepted as he could no longer continue racing with the squad. Massive Claim and Rebranding News "I recognize the team has a different view," Gee went on. "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 an athlete and individual." He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments. It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount throughout their careers. In related news, the team announced on Monday that they will undertake a complete rebranding starting in 2026, distancing themselves from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.