🔗 Share this article Former Rider Derek Gee Confronts €30m Damages Claim After Contract Ending Due to 'Personal Belief' Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada has revealed he is confronting a substantial legal demand totaling €30 million by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his choice to end his contract based on what he described as "personal beliefs." Race Exit and Underlying Reasons The 28-year-old, after placing fourth in the general classification at the recent Giro d’Italia, departed from Israel-Premier Tech just prior to the Vuelta a España in September. That race was subject to extensive pro-Palestinian protests linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I ended my contract with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to keep fulfilling their work under the existing circumstances," Gee stated in a social media post. He emphasized that his choice was not taken lightly and came after a broken relationship with the team's leader, in addition to major worries related to racing for the team from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned. Official Stance and Ongoing Case The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement regarding this issue as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. The news agency also reached out to the governing body for comment. Gee admitted that departing from the team left him without a contract or insurance if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad. Massive Claim and Team Changes "I recognize the team sees it differently," Gee went on. "However, I now confront what is described as a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and a person." He expressed that this situation reinforce his view that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the recent announcement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts. The basis is uncertain what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that amount during their racing years. Separately, the team stated earlier this week that they will undertake a full rebrand starting in 2026, moving away from their current Israeli branding after more than a decade.