🔗 Share this article Canadian Cyclist Derek Gee Confronts €30m Lawsuit Following Agreement Ending Due to 'Personal Belief' Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he faces a massive legal demand totaling 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This follows his decision to terminate his agreement due to what he called "deeply held convictions." Departure Before Key Event and Key Motivations The 28-year-old, who finished fourth overall at this year’s Giro d’Italia, left his team shortly before September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced widespread demonstrations related to Palestine linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. "I terminated my agreement with just cause, as is every person’s right if they cannot to continue performing their duties in the current situation," Gee stated in a social media post. He noted that his choice was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, in addition to serious concerns about competing for the squad from safety and personal-belief standpoint. These factors deeply affected his conscience, he mentioned. Team’s Response and Legal Proceedings Israel-Premier Tech told Reuters they were unable to comment regarding this issue as the case is currently before the arbitral board of the UCI, the international cycling union. Reuters has also contacted the governing body for comment. Gee admitted that leaving Israel-Premier Tech left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but added this was a chance he was willing to take since he was unable to continue racing with the squad. Massive Claim and Team Changes "I understand the team sees it differently," Gee continued. "Yet, I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as an athlete and individual." He shared that these developments reinforce his view that leaving the team was correct, despite the team's recent statement about rebranding and organizational adjustments. It remains unclear what the €30m figure represents. Professional cyclists usually make just a small portion of that amount throughout their careers. In related news, the team announced on Monday that the team would undergo a complete rebranding starting in 2026, moving away from their Israeli identity after more than a decade.