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Professional rider Derek Gee from Canada stated publicly he is confronting a substantial damages claim amounting to 30 million euros by his previous squad, the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team. This comes after his decision to terminate his agreement based on what he called "personal beliefs."

Departure Before Key Event 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 September’s Vuelta a España. That race experienced extensive pro-Palestinian protests connected with Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

"I ended my contract for valid reasons, which is anyone's entitlement if they cannot to continue performing their duties under the existing circumstances," Gee explained in a social media post.

He emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and came after an irreparable relationship with the team principal, as well as major worries about competing for the squad from both a safety and ethical perspective. These factors weighed heavily on his conscience, he mentioned.

Team’s Response and Ongoing Case

The team told Reuters they could not to provide a statement on the matter as the case is now with the arbitration panel of cycling's governing body, the international cycling union. Reuters also reached out to the UCI for their input.

Gee acknowledged that leaving the team left him without an agreement or protection if he were injured, but stated it was a risk he was willing to take since he was unable to keep competing for the team.

Massive Claim and Rebranding News

"I understand the team has a different view," Gee went on. "Yet, I now confront what I understand to be a financial demand reportedly over approximately €30m – for doing nothing more than upholding my basic rights as an athlete and individual."

He shared that this situation strengthens my belief that leaving the team was the right decision, regardless of the team's recent statement about rebranding and cosmetic structural shifts.

It remains unclear what the 30 million euro claim covers. Professional cyclists usually make only a fraction of that sum throughout their careers.

In related news, Israel–Premier Tech announced on Monday that the team will undertake a full rebrand for the 2026 season, moving away from their Israeli identity following over ten years.